Cost of Living: Mobile, AL vs Cambridge, MA (2026)

Mobile

Alabama
66
VS

Cambridge

Massachusetts
239

Mobile is 72% cheaper than Cambridge.

$1,029/mo ↓ 62%
Median Rent
$2,742/mo ↑ 166%
$51,090/yr ↓ 60%
Median Income
$126,469/yr ↑ 148%
$170,300 ↓ 84%
Home Value
$1,040,500 ↑ 511%
$1,016/mo ↓ 61%
Owner Costs
$2,634/mo ↑ 159%
185,097
Population
117,794

Tax Comparison

5.0%
Income Tax
9.0%
4.0%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.41%
Property Tax
1.15%

Affordability

24.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Mobile, AL and Cambridge, MA, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 239 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,713/month cheaper in Mobile, saving renters about $20,556/year.

Median household income is $75,379/year higher in Cambridge. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Mobile is $170,300 compared to $1,040,500 in Cambridge.

Alabama has a lower income tax rate, making Mobile slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Mobile vs Cambridge — common questions

Is Mobile or Cambridge cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Mobile is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 239 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Mobile and Cambridge?
Median rent in Mobile is $1,029/month and in Cambridge it's $2,742/month — a difference of $1,713/month.
Which city has higher income, Mobile or Cambridge?
Median household income is $51,090 in Mobile and $126,469 in Cambridge. Median household income is $75,379/year higher in Cambridge.
How do taxes compare between Alabama and Massachusetts?
Alabama has 5.0% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 0.41% property tax. Massachusetts has 9.0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.15% property tax.
Should I move to Mobile or Cambridge?
It depends on your priorities. Mobile has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $1,029/mo, while Cambridge has a cost index of 239 with rent of $2,742/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Mobile details → View Cambridge details →

More Comparisons

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Mobile vs. Paradise Mobile vs. Newport News Mobile vs. Tempe Mobile vs. Shreveport Mobile vs. Brownsville Mobile vs. Fort Lauderdale Cambridge vs. Richardson Cambridge vs. North Charleston Cambridge vs. Billings Cambridge vs. Clearwater Cambridge vs. Wilmington Cambridge vs. Lakeland