The Mobile metro is home to 413,162 people (down 0.4% over five years), with a median household income of $58,119. Typical rent of $1,280/month works out to 26.4% of the median household income — near the 30% affordability threshold (Census ACS + Zillow, September 2026).
The share of Mobile's workforce by sector — the base of tenant demand:
| Sector | % of workforce |
|---|---|
| Education & health care | 23.3% |
| Manufacturing | 12.6% |
| Retail trade | 11.4% |
| Professional & management | 9.8% |
| Arts, food & hospitality | 9.0% |
Education & health care is the metro's largest employment base — sectors like education and health care are recession-resilient anchors for rental demand.
Rents at 26.4% of median income leave moderate headroom; underwrite rent growth conservatively. Market pricing, yields and the Star Score live on the Mobile market page; run a deal in the calculator.
At the 30%-of-income affordability rule, typical rent of $1,280/month suggests a household income around $51,000/year. The metro's median household income is $58,119.
By workforce share: Education & health care (23.3%), Manufacturing (12.6%), Retail trade (11.4%) (Census ACS 5-year).