CountyScore

Mobile County

Alabama · AL

#66 in Alabama
63.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Mobile County, Alabama

Mobile scores well above the nation

Mobile County's composite score of 63.8 significantly exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the upper half of U.S. counties. This 28% advantage suggests the county offers livability conditions better than most American communities, driven largely by favorable tax and housing costs.

Slightly below Alabama's county average

Mobile ranks near the middle of Alabama's 67 counties with a score of 63.8, compared to the state average of 70.8. While not at the top, the county remains competitive and outperforms roughly half of its peers statewide.

Tax burden and affordability stand out

Mobile County excels with a tax score of 88.7 and an effective tax rate of just 0.481%, making it one of the lowest-tax counties in the comparison. Housing affordability is also a strength, with a median home value of $176,600 and median rent of $1,021/month—well-positioned for budget-conscious homebuyers and renters.

Income levels lag significantly behind

The county's income score of 21.3 is substantially lower than peer counties, with a median household income of $58,119. Health outcomes at 59.0 also present room for improvement, suggesting residents may benefit from expanded healthcare access and wellness initiatives.

Best for cost-conscious professionals

Mobile County appeals to individuals and families prioritizing affordable housing and low taxes over high earning potential. It suits remote workers, retirees, and those seeking a balance of economic value without wanting to sacrifice urban amenities or services.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax88.7Cost74.8SafetyComing SoonHealth59SchoolsComing SoonIncome21.3Risk2WaterComing Soon
🏛88.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠74.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼21.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤59
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡2
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Mobile County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Tuolumne County
California
63.8
Median income: $72,259
Colquitt County
Georgia
63.8
Median income: $49,691
Ford County
Illinois
63.8
Median income: $60,782
Penobscot County
Maine
63.8
Median income: $63,248
York County
Maine
63.8
Median income: $82,904

Deep Dives

Mobile County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Mobile County

via TaxByCounty

Mobile taxes far below national average

Mobile County's effective tax rate of 0.481% is less than one-fifth the national median effective rate of roughly 0.9%, placing the county in the lowest 15% nationally. Homeowners here pay $849 annually in property taxes on a median home valued at $176,600—far less than the national median tax bill of $2,690.

Highest taxes in Alabama

Mobile County's 0.481% effective rate ranks highest among Alabama's 67 counties, 42% above the state average of 0.339%. Despite this distinction, the county still remains remarkably affordable compared to national standards.

Morgan and Montgomery pay more

Mobile's $849 median tax bill exceeds neighboring Montgomery County ($598) and Morgan County ($674), though Mobile's homes also carry higher median values at $176,600. The region shows considerable variation, with Pike County to the south charging just $403 annually on much lower-valued properties.

Your annual Mobile County bill

On a median home valued at $176,600, Mobile County homeowners pay approximately $849 per year in property taxes. With a mortgage, you may see an additional fee in escrow bringing the total closer to $936 annually.

Consider a property tax appeal

Studies show that 20-30% of homeowners are overassessed, yet few challenge their valuations. If you believe your home's assessed value is too high, filing an appeal with Mobile County's assessor's office is free and often successful.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Mobile County

via CostByCounty

Mobile's housing costs strain local budgets

Mobile County renters spend 21.1% of their income on rent, outpacing the national average of roughly 18%. With a median household income of $58,119—well below the national median of $74,755—housing affordability here is tighter than typical American markets.

Above-average costs for Alabama

Mobile's rent-to-income ratio of 21.1% exceeds Alabama's state average of 18.0%, placing it among the state's less affordable counties. At $1,021 monthly rent versus the state average of $799, Mobile renters pay roughly $222 more each month.

Costlier than rural Alabama peers

Mobile's $1,021 median rent significantly exceeds neighboring rural counties like Perry ($610) and Pickens ($600). Even compared to state capital Montgomery, Mobile renters pay slightly less ($1,061 in Montgomery), reflecting Mobile's status as the region's urban anchor.

Rent dominates Mobile household budgets

Renters dedicate 21.1% of income to monthly rent, while homeowners pay $991 monthly toward mortgages on properties valued at $176,600. Together, these figures reveal that housing—whether rented or owned—competes heavily with other necessities for Mobile households.

Consider Mobile's trade-offs carefully

Mobile offers urban amenities and employment diversity, but renters should budget carefully: you'll spend roughly $12,250 annually on rent alone. If affordability is your priority, lower-cost rural Alabama counties or neighborhoods outside the city center merit comparison.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Mobile County

via IncomeByCounty

Mobile earns 22% below the nation

Mobile County's median household income of $58,119 trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by more than $16,600 annually. This gap places Mobile in the lower half of American counties, reflecting broader economic patterns across rural and post-industrial regions in the South.

Above average for Alabama

Mobile ranks above the Alabama state median of $54,196, putting the county in Alabama's upper-middle tier by household income. Mobile's per capita income of $32,032 also exceeds the state average of $29,701, suggesting stronger earning power countywide.

Mobile leads its regional peers

Mobile's $58,119 median income outpaces neighboring Pike County ($47,961) and Pickens County ($47,014), but trails Morgan County's $64,858—the strongest earner in this group. Montgomery County matches Mobile nearly exactly at $58,153, making them close economic peers.

Housing remains manageable here

Mobile's rent-to-income ratio of 21.1% sits at the threshold of affordability, meaning the typical household dedicates about one-fifth of income to rent. With a median home value of $176,600, homeownership is accessible but requires careful financial planning for working families.

Build wealth through homeownership

Mobile households have room to invest beyond basic needs: with median income exceeding $58,000 and reasonable housing costs, families can prioritize savings and down payments. Starting with a financial plan that separates emergency funds, retirement contributions, and home equity builds the foundation for long-term wealth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Mobile County

via HealthByCounty

Mobile's health advantage over nation

Mobile County residents live to 72.6 years, slightly above the U.S. average of 71.5 years—a meaningful edge in a county of 400,000. Yet one in four Mobile residents report poor or fair health, matching the national prevalence of preventable illness. The county's mental health provider density of 138 per 100,000 exceeds the national benchmark, suggesting better access to mental care.

Mobile leads Alabama on life expectancy

At 72.6 years, Mobile County ranks among Alabama's healthiest, outpacing the state average of 72.1 years. The county's uninsured rate of 11.8% sits slightly above Alabama's 11.1% state average, leaving roughly 47,000 county residents without coverage. Primary care density in Mobile (71 per 100K) significantly exceeds the state median, reflecting the presence of major medical institutions.

Mobile outpaces neighboring health regions

Mobile's 72.6-year life expectancy beats nearby Monroe County (70.8 years) by nearly two years, a substantial gap reflective of urban health infrastructure advantages. Mobile's poor/fair health rate of 24.7% ranks better than Monroe's 26.1%, though both counties share similar uninsured rates around 11-12%. The county's 71 primary care providers per 100K far exceed Monroe's 46 per 100K, highlighting a pronounced rural-urban disparity.

Healthcare access built on insurance gaps

Mobile's 11.8% uninsured rate means roughly 47,000 residents lack basic coverage, though the county's strong provider network (71 primary care doctors per 100K) creates opportunity for those with insurance. The 24.7% poor/fair health rate suggests chronic disease and limited preventive care reach significant portions of the population. Mental health providers (138 per 100K) offer better access than many regions, yet 47,000 uninsured residents face barriers to consistent treatment.

Mobile residents: check your coverage options

If you're among the 47,000 uninsured Mobile County residents, open enrollment and Medicaid expansion programs may offer affordable coverage—start at healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596. Even with insurance, high deductibles remain a barrier; explore federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) across the county that charge on a sliding fee scale. Mobile's robust provider network means coverage unlocks real access to the primary and mental health services your county offers.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Mobile County

via RiskByCounty

Mobile ranks in nation's riskiest counties

Mobile County scores 98.03 out of 100 for composite disaster risk, placing it in the top tier of vulnerable U.S. counties. This score significantly exceeds Alabama's state average of 61.54, making Mobile a national hotspot for multiple hazard types.

Alabama's most disaster-prone county

Mobile County ranks as Alabama's highest-risk county across its portfolio of natural hazards. Its 98.03 composite score towers over the state average by 37 points, reflecting exposure to hurricanes, flooding, wildfires, tornadoes, and earthquakes.

Far riskier than surrounding counties

Mobile's 98.03 score dwarfs nearby Monroe County (48.66) and Pike County (43.99), both of which sit well below state average. This concentration of risk in Mobile reflects its coastal location and vulnerability to Gulf weather systems that don't affect inland neighbors.

Hurricanes top the threat list here

Hurricane risk dominates at 99.42—the highest in the state—followed by flood risk (95.90) and wildfire risk (93.48). Tornado risk also ranks elevated at 94.56, meaning Mobile residents face a punishing combination of water and wind hazards.

Insurance is essential in Mobile County

With composite risk nearly at 100, comprehensive disaster coverage is critical; standard homeowner policies exclude flood and earthquake damage. Mobile residents should prioritize flood insurance (especially given 95.90 flood risk), wind/hurricane riders, and review earthquake coverage immediately.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.