Median rent is 42% lower in Mobile ($1,029/mo vs $1,779/mo). Buying is cheaper in Mobile, where the median home runs $170,300 versus $751,700. Households earn more in New York ($79,713 vs $51,090 a year).
City A
Mobile, AL
City B
New York, NY
How much would you need to earn in New York, NY to maintain your standard of living from Mobile, AL?
A cost-of-living index isn't available for one of these cities yet, so we can't compute an equivalent salary.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Mobile
Alabama
New York
New York
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Mobile — median rent of $1,029/mo versus $1,779/mo in New York, a 42% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in New York: the median home is $751,700 versus $170,300 in Mobile — 77% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Alabama's top income tax rate is 5.00% versus 10.90% in New York, so Mobile is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 4.00% in Alabama and 4.00% in New York; New York has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Mobile
Income tax: 5.00%
Sales tax: 4.00%
New York
Income tax: 10.90%
Sales tax: 4.00%
Mobile has cleaner air on average: 34.0 AQI (Good) compared to 61.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick New York if you prioritize higher median household income ($79,713/yr).
Pick Mobile if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,029/mo median).
Pick Mobile if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 34.0).
Pick Mobile if you prioritize lower state income tax (5.00%).
Is Mobile cheaper than New York?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Mobile vs New York?
Median rent is $1,029/mo in Mobile, AL and $1,779/mo in New York, NY. Mobile, AL has the lower rent by about 42%.
Which has higher salaries — Mobile or New York?
Median household income is $51,090 in Mobile, AL and $79,713 in New York, NY. New York, NY has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Mobile, AL has better air quality on average: 34.0 AQI versus 61.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Mobile or New York?
Alabama's top income tax rate is 5.00% and New York's is 10.90%. Mobile, AL has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in New York to match my Mobile income?
RPP data needed for salary equivalence calculation is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology