Mobile vs Odessa
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Mobile
Odessa
The Verdict
Living in Mobile costs 1.2% less than Odessa. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Mobile, you would need $75,893 in Odessa.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Mobile has the same purchasing power as $75,893 in Odessa.
Conversely, $75,000 in Odessa equals $74,118 in Mobile.
Living in Mobile vs Odessa
Housing Costs
Mobile's housing index of 60 is lower Odessa's 72, translating to median home prices of $193,000 vs $223,000. The $30,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,956 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $975/mo in Mobile compared to $1,150/mo in Odessa, a monthly difference of $175.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Mobile and 96 in Odessa. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Mobile vs $456/month in Odessa. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 108 in Mobile and 100 in Odessa. Monthly utility bills average approximately $432 in Mobile vs $400 in Odessa. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 100 in Mobile and 96 in Odessa. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $53,600 in Mobile and $73,500 in Odessa. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,810 and $86,471 respectively. Odessa residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,251/month to housing in Mobile vs $1,715/month in Odessa. In Mobile, median rent of $975/mo fits within this budget. In Odessa, median rent of $1,150/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 12 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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