In Mobile, a typical home is worth $193,300 and typical rent is $1,068 a month. Compared with all of Mobile County, typical household income is 9% lower and the share of households that own their home is 12 points lower.
Typical home value from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $168,595 to $196,696.
Typical rent
$1,258a month
▲ 3.5% more than 12 months ago
Typical rent from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $983 to $1,258.
From Zillow (ZHVI/ZORI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).
Mobile is in Mobile County. The FHA loan limit ($541,287 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of Mobile County. See the county
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
1
Nearby, in Prichard, the typical home value is $85,700: 56% less than in Mobile ($193,300).
2
54% of households in Mobile own their home, against 66% in Mobile County.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).
The homes here
Housing in Mobile
What homes there are in Mobile, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).
What homes there are
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Kind of home
Detached houseAttached houseBuilding of 2 to 4Apartments (5 or more)Mobile homeBoat, RV and otherUnreliable estimate
Mobile
Mobile County
Alabama
United States
Kind of home: Mobile and its comparisons
Measure
Mobile
Mobile County
Alabama
United States
Detached house
67%
73%
69%
61%
Attached house
2%
1%
2%
6%
Building of 2 to 4
5%
4%
5%
8%
Apartments (5 or more)
24%
15%
12%
19%
Mobile home
2%
7%
12%
6%
Boat, RV and other
Unreliable estimate
0%
0%
0%
In Mobile, 7 in 10 homes are single-family detached houses; in Mobile County, 7.
Year built
Before 19601960–19791980–19992000–20092010 or later
Mobile
Mobile County
Alabama
United States
Year built: Mobile and its comparisons
Measure
Mobile
Mobile County
Alabama
United States
Before 1960
26%
19%
16%
26%
1960–1979
36%
32%
26%
24%
1980–1999
24%
28%
29%
25%
2000–2009
8%
13%
15%
14%
2010 or later
6%
9%
13%
11%
Homes in Mobile are older: the typical year built is 1975; in Mobile County, 1980.
In Mobile, 13% of homes have 1 bedroom or none (studios); 61% have 3 bedrooms or more, against 71% in Mobile County.
What it costs here
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Value of owner-occupied homes
Under the limitOver the limit
Under $100K21%
$100K–$200K31%
$200K–$300K23%
$300K–$500K17%
$500K–$750K4%
FHA limit: $541,287
$750K–$1M2%
$1M or more2%
Value of owner-occupied homes: Mobile and its comparisons
Measure
Mobile
Under $100K
21%
$100K–$200K
31%
$200K–$300K
23%
$300K–$500K
17%
$500K–$750K
4%
$750K–$1M
2%
$1M or more
2%
About 92% of owner-occupied homes in Mobile are worth less than the FHA loan limit for Mobile County ($541,287).
Monthly rent with utilities
Under the limitOver the limitUnreliable estimate
Under $50010%
$500–$99933%
$1,000–$1,49943%
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms: $1,139
$1,500–$1,99913%
$2,000–$2,4991%
$2,500–$2,999Unreliable
$3,000 or moreUnreliable
Monthly rent with utilities: Mobile and its comparisons
Measure
Mobile
Under $500
10%
$500–$999
33%
$1,000–$1,499
43%
$1,500–$1,999
13%
$2,000–$2,499
1%
$2,500–$2,999
Unreliable estimate
$3,000 or more
Unreliable estimate
HUD's 2-bedroom fair market rent (FMR) for Mobile County is $1,139: about 54% of rents in Mobile are below it.
With a mortgage
$1,409 a month
Mobile County: $1,404 a month
Without a mortgage
$491 a month
Mobile County: $457 a month
Owners with a mortgage
58%
Mobile County: 58%
In Mobile, 58% of owners have a mortgage; their typical cost is $1,409 a month, about the same as in Mobile County.
How it changed
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024
Change since 2015–2019
Typical home value
Mobile+56%
Mobile County+47%
Alabama+47%
United States+53%
Typical rent
Mobile+25%
Mobile County+23%
Alabama+27%
United States+33%
Typical household income
Mobile+27%
Mobile County+24%
Alabama+27%
United States+29%
Change since 2015–2019: Mobile and its comparisons
Measure
Mobile
Mobile County
Alabama
United States
Typical home value
+56%
+47%
+47%
+53%
Typical rent
+25%
+23%
+27%
+33%
Typical household income
+27%
+24%
+27%
+29%
From 2015–2019 to 2020–2024, the typical home value in Mobile rose 56%; in Mobile County, it rose 47%.
The typical rent in Mobile rose 25% since 2015–2019, about the same as in Mobile County (23%).
The typical household income in Mobile rose 27% over that time; home values changed +56% and rent +25%.
How people live
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
How people live: Mobile and its comparisons
Measure
Mobile
Mobile County
Alabama
United States
Rental vacancy
5.0%
5.0%
7.2%
5.5%
Homeowner vacancy
1.0%
1.1%
1.1%
0.9%
More than one person per room
1.5%
1.6%
1.7%
3.4%
People per household
2.33
2.50
2.48
2.53
Drive alone
81%
83%
81%
69%
Carpool
7%
7%
8%
9%
Public transit
1%
0%
0%
3%
Walk or bike
2%
1%
1%
3%
Work from home
9%
8%
9%
15%
Other means
1%
1%
1%
2%
Typical commute
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
Much as in Mobile County, the rental vacancy rate in Mobile is 5.0%.
Much as in Mobile County, 1.5% of households in Mobile have more than one person per room.
Households in Mobile are smaller: 2.33 people on average; in Mobile County, 2.50.
To get to work, 81% of workers in Mobile drive alone; in Mobile County, 83%.
Do the math
What would you pay each month for a home in Mobile?
A typical home is tight for the typical income
We start with a typical home in Mobile, worth $193,300, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 34% of the typical household income in Mobile, which is $53,558 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $65,672 a year.
The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Mobile County.
Change the price, the down payment or the loan: the payment updates right away.
Your numbers
Local data
$
Starts at the typical home value in Mobile. Change it to the price you have in mind.
Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.
Down payment
%
That is $6,766 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.
This week's average ± a quarter or half point.
National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.
Adjust advanced details⌄
Estimated monthly payment
Local data
$1,532
at 7.18% · 30 years
Loan amount
$189,798
Total interest
$273,075
Paid off in
November 2056
Includes $3,264 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.
Does it fit the income?
Comfortable
up to $1,250 a month
Tight
$1,250 to $1,607 a month
Your payment · 34%
Hard
more than $1,607 a month
Compared with the typical household income in Mobile ($53,558 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.
Monthly payment breakdown
Principal & interest
$1,286
Property tax
$81
Home insurance
$81
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)
$85
You need at least $6,766 for the down payment, plus closing costs.
This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.
Total monthly payment $1,532; principal and interest $1,286.
The city and its county
Mobile and Mobile County
Mobile is in Mobile County, Alabama. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes its own numbers for the city: home values, rent, household income, how many households own their home and the property tax. They are American Community Survey estimates (average 2020–2024).
Mobile
Map of Mobile County, Alabama, with Mobile marked. Around it, the neighboring counties.
Mobile
Mobile County
Other cities with a page
Mobile's own numbers
Typical home value
$193,300
Typical monthly rent
$1,068
Typical yearly household income
$53,558
Households that own their home
54%
Effective property tax rate
0.5%
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).
Numbers for all of Mobile County
FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,139
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+48%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
6.3%
HUD, FHFA and FEMA don't publish these numbers by city.
Other numbers are not published by city, only for the whole county: FHA and conventional loan limits, HUD’s fair market rents, FHFA’s price index and FEMA’s flood data. On this page, those numbers always say they are for all of Mobile County.
A typical home in Mobile is worth $193,300: about the same as the county and 8% below Alabama. With the typical household income in Mobile ($53,558 a year), a typical home costs 3.6 times what the household earns in a year.
Years of income to pay for a typical home
The typical home value divided by the typical household income for one year. The lower it is, the less buying weighs.
Mobile3.6 years
County3.2 years
Alabama3.3 years
United States4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024
How prices have changed in Mobile County
According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Mobile County rose 79% in the 10 years through 2025.
FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Mobile County.
Yearly change in FHFA’s price index in Mobile County, 2016 to 2025
2016: +2.0% +2.0% 2016
2017: +3.3% +3.3% 2017
2018: +5.4% +5.4% 2018
2019: +4.6% +4.6% 2019
2020: +4.7% +4.7% 2020
2021: +12.8% +12.8% 2021
2022: +14.5% +14.5% 2022
2023: +8.8% +8.8% 2023
2024: +2.7% +2.7% 2024
2025: +2.2% +2.2% 2025
Change in FHFA’s price index in Mobile County, Alabama and the United States
Period
County
Alabama
U.S.
Last year (2025)
+2.2%
+2.5%
+2.9%
5 years (2020–2025)
+48%
+47%
+47%
10 years (2015–2025)
+79%
+77%
+85%
The index follows the price of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data
Mobile next to Mobile County, Alabama and the U.S.
Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.
Typical home value
Mobile$193,300
County$190,700
Alabama$209,900
United States$332,700
Typical monthly rent
Mobile$1,068
County$1,052
Alabama$1,007
United States$1,413
Typical yearly household income
Mobile$53,558
County$58,880
Alabama$63,999
United States$80,734
See the full table
Mobile next to Mobile County and Alabama
Measure
Mobile
Mobile County
Alabama
U.S.
Typical home value
$193,300
$190,700
$209,900
$332,700
Typical monthly rent
$1,068
$1,052
$1,007
$1,413
Typical yearly household income
$53,558 ▼9% below the county
$58,880
$63,999
$80,734
Households that own their home
54% ▼12 points below the county
66%
70%
65%
Typical yearly property tax
$968 ▲9% above the county
$888
$788
$3,119
Effective property tax rate
0.5% ▲0.03 points above the county
0.47%
0.38%
0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income
57% ▲1 points above the county
56%
49%
51%
“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Mobile County. “High rent” is the Census measure: renter households that pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Mobile
For a typical $193,300 home in Mobile, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Mobile's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.
FHA, 3.5% down$1,532a month
Least cash to close
Down payment
$6,766
Cash to close
$12,565
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
FHA MIP · $85
Conventional, 5% down$1,497a month
Down payment
$9,665
Cash to close
$15,464
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
PMI · $92
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI$1,209a month
Down payment
$38,660
Cash to close
$44,459
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
ITIN, 15% down (example)$1,387a month
Down payment
$28,995
Cash to close
$34,794
Rate
8.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Mobile
Loan
Monthly payment
Down payment
Loan amount
Rate
Mortgage insurance
Cash to close
Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down Least cash to close
$1,532
$6,766
$189,799
7.18%
FHA MIP · $85
$12,565
580
Conventional, 5% down
$1,497
$9,665
$183,635
7.18%
PMI · $92
$15,464
620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI
$1,209
$38,660
$154,640
7.18%
None
$44,459
620*
ITIN, 15% down (example)
$1,387
$28,995
$164,305
8.18%
None
$34,794
Set by the lender
The option that asks for the least cash to close is FHA, 3.5% down.
Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.
Typical rent in Mobile is $1,068 a month: about the same as the county. In Mobile, 57% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Mobile County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,139 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $21.90 an hour working full time.
What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.
HUD fair market rent in Mobile County (Fiscal year 2027)
Size
Fair rent a month
Hourly wage
Yearly income
Studio
$938
$18.04
$37,520
1 bedroom
$981
$18.87
$39,240
2 bedrooms
$1,139
$21.90
$45,560
3 bedrooms
$1,474
$28.35
$58,960
4 bedrooms
$1,565
$30.10
$62,600
Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027
By ZIP code
Fair market rent by ZIP code in Mobile
HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Mobile has 13 ZIP codes with their own.
For 2 bedrooms it runs from $920 in 36603 to $1,310 in 36688.
7 of the 13 are above the fair market rent for Mobile County ($1,139).
2-bedroom fair market rent in each of the 13 ZIP codes of Mobile, beside the one for Mobile County. For 2 bedrooms it runs from $920 in 36603 to $1,310 in 36688. 7 of the 13 are above the fair market rent for Mobile County ($1,139).
2-bedroom fair market rent in each ZIP code
Each line is one ZIP code: in color, those above the county's fair market rent; in gray, the rest.
County: $1,139
Lowest: $920 (36603)Highest: $1,310 (36688)
Fair market rent by ZIP code and size in Mobile, fiscal year 2027.
36602
$930
$970
$1,130
$1,460
$1,550
36603
$760
$790
$920
$1,190
$1,270
36604
$820
$850
$990
$1,280
$1,360
36605
$960
$1,000
$1,160
$1,500
$1,590
36606
$860
$900
$1,050
$1,360
$1,440
36607
$910
$960
$1,110
$1,440
$1,530
36609
$960
$1,000
$1,160
$1,500
$1,590
36615
$940
$980
$1,140
$1,480
$1,570
36617
$960
$1,010
$1,170
$1,510
$1,610
36618
$1,030
$1,080
$1,250
$1,620
$1,720
36652
$900
$950
$1,100
$1,420
$1,510
36688
$1,080
$1,130
$1,310
$1,700
$1,800
36693
$990
$1,030
$1,200
$1,550
$1,650
ZIP code2 bd3 bd
36602 $1,130$1,460
36603 $920$1,190
36604 $990$1,280
36605 $1,160$1,500
36606 $1,050$1,360
36607 $1,110$1,440
36609 $1,160$1,500
36615 $1,140$1,480
36617 $1,170$1,510
36618 $1,250$1,620
36652 $1,100$1,420
36688 $1,310$1,700
36693 $1,200$1,550
2 of these ZIP codes cross the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Mobile when at least 50% of its land is inside the city or it covers at least 15% of the city (Census 2020 boundaries). Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD)Fiscal year 2027Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (external site)Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship fileData from 2020 dataCensus Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (external site)
HUD lists 72 buildings with rents for lower incomes in Mobile. These are the largest.
Central Plaza Towers304 Bay Shore Ave, Mobile 36607475 homes, 465 low-income · Run by Mobile Housing Authority · Average payment: $368 a month · Average wait: 7 months(251) 434-2213
Orange Grove Homes560 N Joachim St, Mobile 36603298 homes, 247 low-income · Run by Mobile Housing Authority · Average payment: $343 a month · Average wait: 23 months(251) 434-2213
South Bay Apts600 S Washington Ave, Mobile 36603224 low-income homes · 1 bd: 112 · 2 bd: 112 · In service since 2000 · For families
Dauphin Gate3250 Dauphin St, Mobile 36606223 low-income homes · In service since 2018 · For families(251) 473-7224
Azalea Pointe Apts651 Azalea Rd, Mobile 36609208 low-income homes · 2 bd: 104 · 3 bd: 104 · In service since 2004 · For families(251) 666-1738
You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency helps for free or at low cost: getting ready to buy, understanding your credit, or solving a problem with your rent.
There are 3 HUD-approved agencies with an office in Mobile County; 1 says it serves in Spanish.
No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Mobile or Mobile County. The ones below are statewide in Alabama: they work in Mobile the same as in the rest of the state.
Alabama state authority program with down payment assistance of 4% of the price (up to $10,000) as a 10-year second mortgage, alongside a 30-year fixed mortgage.Offered by Alabama Housing Finance Authority (AHFA).
Alabama state authority 30-year low-rate mortgage, for first-time buyers and for people who have owned a home before, with down payment assistance of 4% of the price, up to $10,000, as a ten-year second mortgage.Offered by Alabama Housing Finance Authority (AHFA).
Alabama state authority grant for closing costs with an HFA Advantage conventional loan: 1% of the loan if you earn up to 50% of the area median, or half a percent if you earn 50% to 80%.Offered by Alabama Housing Finance Authority (AHFA).
No legal help resource on our list is for Mobile or Mobile County in particular.
If you have a problem with your landlord, an eviction notice or a scam, the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) search shows the free legal aid offices that serve your area.
Short answers with the numbers for Mobile and all of Mobile County. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.
How much does a typical home cost in Mobile?
The typical home value in Mobile is $193,300, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Mobile County it is $190,700.
How much does it cost to rent in Mobile?
Typical rent in Mobile is $1,068 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Mobile County is $1,139.
What is the FHA loan limit in Mobile?
Mobile uses the FHA limit for all of Mobile County (2026): $541,287 for a one-unit home and $1,041,125 for a four-unit home.
How much property tax do owners pay in Mobile?
The typical homeowner in Mobile pays $968 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 0.5% of the home’s value; in Mobile County, the rate is 0.47%.
Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Mobile?
There are 3 HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Mobile County. 1 says it serves in Spanish. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.
