CostIndexUSA

Lakeland, FL vs Mobile, AL Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

FL
Lakeland
97.1
overall index
$1,825/mo rent
More AffordableAL
Mobile
88.1
overall index
$1,250/mo rent

Mobile is moderately cheaper than Lakeland — 9.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Lakeland, you would need $72,600 in Mobile. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing37.3%
Lakeland
95.9
Mobile
60.1
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Lakeland
96.2
Mobile
96.4
🚗 Transportation2.2%
Lakeland
103.8
Mobile
101.5
🏥 Healthcare2.1%
Lakeland
93.9
Mobile
91.9
Utilities3.1%
Lakeland
86.9
Mobile
84.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Lakeland to see what you'd need to earn in Mobile to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Mobile, AL
$72,600
$7,400 less needed in Mobile

Formula: salary × (88.1 ÷ 97.1) = salary × 0.9073. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Lakeland, FL

Median Home Price
$295,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,825
Housing Index
95.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.5×

Mobile, AL

Median Home Price
$187,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,250
Housing Index
60.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
12.5×

Lakeland has 37.3% lower housing costs compared to Mobile.

Income & Job Market

Lakeland, FL

Median Household Income
$66,900
Per Capita Income
$38,100
Unemployment Rate
3.7%
Population
119,428
Top Industries
HealthcareLogisticsManufacturingRetailAgriculture

Mobile, AL

Median Household Income
$55,400
Per Capita Income
$31,600
Unemployment Rate
3.1%
Population
187,041
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingLogisticsMilitaryAerospace

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Lakeland, FL
3.1×income-to-rent ratio

67% of income left after rent (median)

Mobile, AL
3.7×income-to-rent ratio

73% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.