9 Best Neighborhoods in Mobile, AL

Get Big Easy living without Big Easy prices. In Mobile, Alabama, that’s the kind of lifestyle that awaits you. It’s ranked the fourth best place to live in the state and among its safest. This Gulf Coast community delivers a lot of bang for its buck, which may be why interest is rising in Mobile as a great place to live or retire.

When it comes to living in Mobile, find housing prices lower than the national average, waterfront options, and rehabilitated historic districts with a rich culture. Plus, with a combination of conservative Southern values and a “let the good times roll” spirit, you get the best of tradition and modern living.

Explore why living in Mobile, AL, may be right for you. Then, learn more about the city’s neighborhoods, and start planning your move today. You may be surprised by just how much you can live for less.

Why Live in Mobile, AL?

Let’s begin with the lead-in: you don’t have to sacrifice style when finding an affordable place to live. Your overall cost of living is 18% below the national average, with an incredible 49% under housing. The only category where you’ll pay more is healthcare.

While salaries are below the national average, the economy’s more stable than in nearby Louisiana. It’s less reliant on gas and oil, and as Mobile is an important seaport, it has a trade economy. Find leaders in logistics, distribution, and aviation based here. Major employers include Austal USA Shipbuilding, Airbus production, and the University of South Alabama.

From its laid-back waterfront atmosphere on Mobile Bay to its rich culture, Mobile knows how to live a good life without breaking your bank account. Fun fact: this was where the first Mardi Gras parades were held in the Americas, and the “Mystic Societies” know how to do it right. Enjoy the festivities without the touristy crowds of New Orleans. Mardi Gras is a holiday in Mobile County.

Of course, Mardi Gras is just one day a year, but Mobile has more to keep you busy. Key attractions include the USS Alabama battleship at Battleship Memorial Park and the interactive GulfQuest National Maritime Museum of the Gulf of Mexico. Visit the Carnival Museum or tour the shops on Dauphin Street.

Spend the day on the water boating or fishing from the bayous and canals running to the bay. Or, if you want a little surf and sand, head to nearby Orange Beach or Grand Isle.

Want to get away? Cruise ships depart from the nearby port to Mexico and the western Caribbean destinations.

And you can’t discount the weather. This is the south, so if you like it warm and tropical, Mobile delivers mild winters and hot summers.

With homes available at incredibly affordable rates, now is a great time to consider making your home in this beautiful city. Median home prices in January 2023 were $210,000! But where should you look? Here are a few top choices for Mobile neighborhoods.

Berkleigh

One of the prized neighborhoods in western Mobile, Berkleigh delivers a quiet, suburban lifestyle.

All the neighborhood services you would expect of a suburb or close at hand, including a Publix supermarket, walkable public and private schools, and medical centers. When the kids are itching for a playground, residents are convenient to Cottage Hill Park, alternatively known as the Medal of Honor Park, which includes a fenced dog park and soccer fields.

Your real estate choices are more established here, with some homes dating back about 60 years. With such a time spread, housing styles and footprints vary widely. The ten homes for sale in February 2023 had a median list price of $226,000.

Cottage Park

Far west of downtown Mobile Alabama, but near the Mobile International Airport, is another quiet suburban area known as Cottage Park. Not to be confused with College Hill Park, Cottage Park is a cozy neighborhood with larger single-family homes and townhomes.

The perk here is the quiet atmosphere and the larger lots with mature landscapes or lots of established trees. You won’t find pocket parks or a lot of shopping. Some stores and restaurants are at the intersection of College Hill and Dawes Rd. A middle and high school are relatively close but not necessarily walkable.

College Park had 11 homes for sale in February 2023 for a median of $245,000.

Llanfair

In Llanfair, you get convenience as the neighborhood borders I-65. Centrally located in Mobile, it’s just south of Spring Hill College and east of the Country Club of Mobile. Your daily needs are served by several shopping centers that have dental offices, fitness centers, and name-brand grocers like The Fresh Market and ALDI. Sometimes, you can walk or bike to what you want.

Two creeks run through the neighborhood, including one at Hackmeyer Park, situated near-center of the community. As an established community, you’ll find lots of mature landscaping and established trees.

This is a neighborhood where the original owners held onto their homes for a long time and are now selling as they age out. The home styles trend towards ranch and midcentury. Some homes have been updated or recently renovated to add space. February 2023 had three houses on the market at a median list price of $435,000.

Jackson Heights

Just south across Airport Blvd from the Country Club of Mobile awaits Jackson Heights, a highly residential area with established homes. Residents describe it as a “woodland beauty in the middle of the city.”

While there are not many in-community amenities, the golf course is across the street. Medal of Honor Park is easily reached down Grelot Road. University and Airport Blvd have a collection of retail and lifestyle services, including Planet Fitness, Publix supermarket, medical offices, and a private school.

Jackson Heights was developed in the late 1940s with intent to preserve its old-growth trees, so it has well-established, majestic oak trees and mature landscaping. Some trees are centuries old. The neighborhood association points out the prolific azaleas that grow in the neighborhood, which is a reason why the community is on Mobile’s famous Azalea Trail.

February 2020 had four homes for sale at a median list price of $155,000. The homes here sit on established, estate-size lots, with some up to three acres in size. It feels like you are living in a residential parkland.

Malibar Heights

Another west Mobile neighborhood, Malabar Heights, borders the Medal of Honor Park. Residents can easily access this amazing city park’s dog park, recreational fields, and green spaces.

For your shopping needs, a Walmart is available at the corner of College Hill Road and Demetropolis.

The predominant architectural style is the 1960 ranch, which reflects the community’s development. So you’ll find single-family homes here are small- to medium-sized. There’s also a high number of renters who live in the homes and the nearby apartment complexes.

Malabar Heights had 19 homes for sale in February 2023 and a median list price of $205,000.

Parkhill

Parkhill sits surrounding some of Mobile’s top attractions. Here you can visit the Mobile Museum of Art or the Mobile Botanical Gardens. The community is conveniently located between two universities, the University of South Alabama on the west and Spring Hill College on the east. Country Club of Mobile and its golf course are directly to the south.

Besides these attractions, Parkhill residents also have Langan Ball Park and Lavretta Park inside their community. These venues provide a children’s playground, tennis courts, and venues for outdoor concerts. Azalea City Golf Course is an 18-hole municipal course in Lavretta Park.

A collection of medical offices awaits along Old Shell Road just to the east, making it easy to access healthcare providers when needed.

Parkhill had 17 homes for sale in February 2023 at a median list price of $312,500. They ranged from historic bungalows to estate homes.

Satsuma

This suburb north of Mobile off I-65 makes the list as one of the best places to live in the Mobile metro. Around 6,000 people call Satsuma home.

The east side of town is cut with creeks and bayous, so if you want waterfront access, this is a great place to find it. The waters run all the way to the Mobile River and Bay. The western parts of town were once part of the orange (satsumas, specifically) and pecan-growing industries, but the farmlands are turning into new developments.

The town’s amenities include a community center, a splash pad, a disc golf course, boat ramps, and tennis courts at Wright Park. It runs its own school system serving 1,520 local youth across two school campuses.

In February 2023, Satsuma had 23 homes for sale at a median list price of $220,000. The styles range in age and style, and there are undeveloped lots ready for your custom home.

Saraland

Bordering Mobile city limits is the suburb of Saraland, one of the state’s fastest-growing communities and one of its top-rated school systems. Its population grew by 20% from 2010-2020, and now it has over 16,000 residents.

Much of what you’ll see in Saraland is new, from its Publix supermarket to its medical campus. The town is adding amenities to support the growth, like a new splash pad and an outdoor amphitheater. As it grows, it is dedicated to preserving its natural resources. Saraland abuts the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta around Bayou Sara and has boating and fishing access to this scenic coastal area.

If you want new construction, Saraland is a great place to look. New master-planned communities are developing across the Saraland area as people take advantage of its top-tier school system and cost of living. February 2023 had 100 homes for sale at a median list price of $266,000.

Spanish Fort

Head across Mobile Bay on I-10, and you’ll be delighted by the metro community of Spanish Fort, one of Alabama’s coveted historic neighborhoods. Even though its name is Spanish Fort, it was founded by the French before the American Revolution. The name comes from the fort built by the Spanish after their conquest of Mobile.

Across the town are historic sites from the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, but the city didn’t incorporate until 1993. While these sites are interesting, the quality of life is what draws people to live across the bay. Not only do you have access to the Mobile Bay and Delta area, but the school system is highly regarded in Alabama. Spanish Fort High School often cracks the top 20 high schools in Alabama lists.

Spanish Fort had 183 homes for sale in February 2023 at a median sale price of $422,500.

Frequently Asked Questions About Best Neighborhoods in Mobile, Alabama

What is the nicest part of Mobile, Alabama?

The historic Midtown area is often praised as Mobile’s nicest place to live. This neighborhood is known for its well-preserved, beautiful homes, many of which date back to the early 20th century, and its tree-lined streets.

Midtown offers residents close proximity to shopping, dining, and cultural attractions. Properties typically range from $239,000 to $470,000, some of them being historic homes. Its dynamic community atmosphere and blend of historic charm with modern amenities make it a highly desirable place to live in this vibrant city.

Is Mobile a walkable city?

Mobile, Alabama, has several walkable neighborhoods, particularly downtown and Midtown. According to Walk Score, downtown Mobile has a walkability score of 63, indicating that some errands can be accomplished on foot.

These neighborhoods provide residents with easy access to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment venues, making them convenient for walking. However, other parts of the city are more car-dependent so that walkability can vary significantly depending on the specific area.

What is Mobile best known for?

Mobile, Alabama, is best known for its rich history and being the birthplace of America’s original Mardi Gras celebration, which dates back to 1703. The city features historic architecture, numerous museums (like the Mobile Carnival Museum and the GulfQuest National Maritime Museum of the Gulf of Mexico), and a thriving arts community.

Mobile’s waterfront on the Gulf of Mexico also makes it a hub for shipping, seafood, and recreational boating. “Port City” is also known for its significant contributions to the shipbuilding industry and its historic downtown area, which attracts many visitors annually.

What is the average salary in Mobile, Alabama?

According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data, the average salary in Mobile, Alabama, is approximately $47,000 per year. Salaries in Mobile can vary widely depending on the industry and level of experience, with higher salaries typically found in sectors such as healthcare, manufacturing, and maritime industries. The relatively low cost of living in Mobile, about 16% lower than the national average, helps to make these salaries go further.

Where in Alabama are retirees moving to?

Alabama retirees often move to cities like Huntsville, Fairhope, and Gulf Shores. Huntsville is known for its vibrant cultural scene, natural beauty, low cost of living, and high quality of life, with a median home price of around $255,000.

Fairhope offers a charming small-town atmosphere with scenic views of Mobile Bay and a median home price of approximately $360,000. Gulf Shores is popular for its beautiful beaches and relaxed coastal lifestyle, making it an attractive destination for retirees.

These areas offer affordability, quality healthcare, a strong sense of community, outdoor activities, and recreational opportunities, making them appealing to retirees.

Why are people moving to Mobile, Alabama?

People are moving to Mobile, Alabama, for its affordable cost of living, which is about 16% lower than the national average, a strong job market, and rich cultural heritage. The city’s location on the Gulf Coast provides residents with beautiful scenery and ample opportunities for outdoor recreation, such as boating and fishing.

Moreover, Mobile’s historic charm, affordable median home price, vibrant arts scene, good public schools, and friendly community atmosphere make it an appealing destination for newcomers. The presence of large employers in the maritime, aerospace, and healthcare sectors also attracts many job seekers to the area.

What are the best areas in Mobile, AL, to live on the waterfront?

Some of the best waterfront areas in Mobile AL, include Dog River, Dauphin Island (known for having some of the most beautiful beaches in Mobile County), and the Eastern Shore.

Dog River offers scenic views and a variety of recreational activities like boating and fishing, with home prices typically ranging from $350,000 to over $1 million. Dauphin Island is known for its beautiful beaches, relaxed atmosphere, and abundant wildlife, with waterfront properties averaging around $400,000.

The Eastern Shore, including towns like Fairhope and Daphne, offers picturesque coastal living with a mix of historic charm and modern amenities. These are also family-friendly areas. Homes here can range from $315,000 to well over $1 million, and they are renowned for their beautiful bay views, excellent schools, and vibrant communities, making them highly desirable for families and retirees alike.

Mobile’s Top Places to Live

So while Mobile isn’t a huge city, it does deliver value for living near the Gulf of Mexico waterfront. You’ll find a diverse selection of communities providing spacious lots for their price point, location, and amenities. If Mobile, AL, sounds like a great place to live for you, why not explore more about living in Alabama? A local real estate agent can be your guide.