Moving from Los Angeles, CA to Mobile, AL
It is 2021 mi and 35h 10m from Los Angeles to Mobile β a cross-country move across 7 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
2021 mi Β· 35h 10m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX β LA β MS β AL
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX β LA β MS β AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 180, TX 130 |
| Major cities en route | Santa Clarita, Torrance, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Inglewood |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Los Angeles | Mobile | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 88.098 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 84.185 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 60.116 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP drops from 113.566 in Los Angeles to 88.098 in Mobile, a 22.4% cut on the overall price level (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 22.4% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $952,183 to $194,564 moving to Mobile.
YoY change: Los Angeles -1.4%, Mobile -2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Los Angeles | Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64Β°F | 69Β°F |
| January avg low | 48Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 78Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 14.1" | 60.5" |
Expect 5.3Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CULVER CITY, CA US, MOBILE DWTN AP, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Los Angeles | Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,857,897 | 185,097 |
| Median household income | $80,366 | $51,090 |
| Median age | 36.9 | 37.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.5% | 20% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.39 |
Expect median household income to fall 22.4% β $80,366 β $51,090 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
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 California 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.
Winter driving along this route
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
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
When is the best time to move from Los Angeles to Mobile?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2021 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Mobile, AL from Los Angeles, CA?
The driving distance is 2021 mi and the route typically takes 35h 10m via I 10 and US 180. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Mobile compared to Los Angeles?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $194,564 in Mobile vs $952,183 in Los Angeles β a 79.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Mobile more expensive than Los Angeles?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Mobile is 22.4% lower than Los Angeles (88.098 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Mobile compare to Los Angeles?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,660 in the Mobile MSA vs $50,490 in the Los Angeles MSA, on total employment of 169,730 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Los Angeles vs Mobile?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,090 in Mobile vs $80,366 in Los Angeles β a 36.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Los Angeles.
City profiles: Los Angeles, CA Β· Mobile, AL.