Home of the Original Mardi Gras, Mobile hosts the oldest Carnival celebration in the United States every year. Mobile was the first capital of French Louisiana in the early 18th century and was once referred to as the Paris of the South. The site of many milestones in American history, modern-day Mobile contains several museums that would delight any history buff. From the History Museum of Mobile to the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park, there are plenty of opportunities to dig deeper into the rich cultural history of the third largest city in Alabama today.
Entertainment abounds in Mobile. Residents can watch a performance at Soul Kitchen Music Hall, Saenger Theatre Mobile, or Crescent Theater. Shoppers relish the ever-present deals at Springdale Mall, the Shoppes at Bel Air, and Festival Centre. Outdoor enthusiasts savor access to many parks and nearby Gulf Shores beaches. Foodies enjoy the expansive array of international cuisine and brunch spots available throughout the city.
Convenient to Interstates 10, 65, and 165, commuting from Mobile is a breeze. Mobile Regional Airport and Mobile Alabama Cruise Terminal offer simple vacation plans as well.
As of March 2025, the average apartment rent in Mobile, AL is $824 for a studio, $986 for one bedroom, $1,167 for two bedrooms, and $1,453 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Mobile has increased by 2.4% in the past year.
The cost of living in Mobile, AL is 13.0% lower than the national average. Generally, housing in Mobile is 32.5% less expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $824 - $1,453. You can expect to pay 2.8% less for groceries, 2.2% less for utilities, and 8.3% less for transportation.
If you love Mardi Gras, live somewhere that shares your passion! Explore other cities that host the biggest celebrations in the U.S.
Car-Dependent
out of 100 WalkScore® Rating
This area is considered a car-dependent area and most errands will require a car.
Minimal Transit
out of 100 TransitScore® Rating
You'll likely want a car when living in this area since it has few transit options.
Somewhat Bikeable
out of 100 BikeScore® Rating
You might be able to find places to ride your bike in this area, but you’ll most likely want your car for most errands.
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† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.
Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.
Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in February 2025.
