Moving from Brownsville, TX to Mobile, AL
The drive from Brownsville, TX to Mobile, AL runs 815 mi β about 15h 32m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
815 mi Β· 15h 32m by car Β· TX β LA β MS β AL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β LA β MS β AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 77, US 59 |
| Major cities en route | Mcallen, Corpus Christi, Sugar Land, Houston, Pearland |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Brownsville | Mobile | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 85.975 | 88.098 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 81.15 | 84.185 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 57.72 | 60.116 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Brownsville (85.975) and Mobile (88.098) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Home prices line up β $195,993 vs $194,564 on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Brownsville +2.1%, Mobile -2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Brownsville | Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 74Β°F | 69Β°F |
| January avg low | 51Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | β | 60.5" |
Climate cools by 5.3Β°F on the annual average β 74.4Β°F β 69.1Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WFO BROWNSVILLE, TX US, MOBILE DWTN AP, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Brownsville | Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 185,097 |
| Median household income | $48,675 | $51,090 |
| Median age | 30.9 | 37.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.8% | 20% |
| Avg household size | 3.21 | 2.39 |
Income steps up 2.5%: $48,675 in Brownsville vs $51,090 in Mobile.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Mobile MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 20,320 | $36,270 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 19,630 | $37,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 16,350 | $31,060 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 14,680 | $23,720 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 12,550 | $64,370 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and Alabama
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Alabama's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Mobile average 92Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Mobile averages 60.5 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November on the Gulf Coast.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Alabama after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Mobile more expensive than Brownsville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Mobile is 2.5% higher than Brownsville (88.098 vs 85.975, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Brownsville to Mobile?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 815 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Mobile compared to Brownsville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $194,564 in Mobile vs $195,993 in Brownsville β a 0.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Brownsville vs Mobile?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,090 in Mobile vs $48,675 in Brownsville β a 5.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Mobile, AL from Brownsville, TX?
The driving distance is 815 mi and the route typically takes 15h 32m via I 10 and US 77. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Mobile compare to Brownsville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,660 in the Mobile MSA vs $33,540 in the Brownsville MSA, on total employment of 169,730 and 154,580 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Brownsville.
City profiles: Brownsville, TX Β· Mobile, AL.