CostIndexUSA

Mobile, AL vs Worcester, MA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableAL
Mobile
88.1
overall index
$1,250/mo rent
MA
Worcester
102.5
overall index
$2,075/mo rent

Mobile is significantly cheaper than Worcester — 16.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Mobile, you would need $93,100 in Worcester. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+88.0%
Mobile
60.1
Worcester
113
🛒 Groceries+0.6%
Mobile
96.4
Worcester
97
🚗 Transportation+4.7%
Mobile
101.5
Worcester
106.3
🏥 Healthcare+4.6%
Mobile
91.9
Worcester
96.1
Utilities+84.3%
Mobile
84.2
Worcester
155.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Mobile to see what you'd need to earn in Worcester to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Worcester, MA
$93,100
$13,100 more needed in Worcester

Formula: salary × (102.5 ÷ 88.1) = salary × 1.1635. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Mobile, AL

Median Home Price
$187,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,250
Housing Index
60.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
12.5×

Worcester, MA

Median Home Price
$461,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,075
Housing Index
113
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.5×

Worcester has 88.0% higher housing costs compared to Mobile.

Income & Job Market

Mobile, AL

Median Household Income
$55,400
Per Capita Income
$31,600
Unemployment Rate
3.1%
Population
187,041
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingLogisticsMilitaryAerospace

Worcester, MA

Median Household Income
$94,100
Per Capita Income
$53,600
Unemployment Rate
4%
Population
206,518
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationManufacturingFinanceTechnology

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Mobile, AL
3.7×income-to-rent ratio

73% of income left after rent (median)

Worcester, MA
3.8×income-to-rent ratio

74% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.