Moving from Glendale, CA to Mobile, AL
It is 2016 mi and 35h 6m from Glendale 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.
2016 mi Β· 35h 6m 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, Palmdale, Simi Valley, Burbank, Los Angeles |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Glendale | 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 |
Mobile sits 22.4% cheaper than Glendale on the BEA RPP, one of the larger gaps you will see between U.S. metros.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $1,201,880 in Glendale to $194,564 in Mobile, a 22.4% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Glendale -0.6%, Mobile -2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Glendale | Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 69Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 86Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 16.5" | 60.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 64.5Β°F vs 69.1Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BURBANK VALLEY PUMP PLT, CA US, MOBILE DWTN AP, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Glendale | Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 192,270 | 185,097 |
| Median household income | $84,262 | $51,090 |
| Median age | 41.4 | 37.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.7% | 20% |
| Avg household size | 2.63 | 2.39 |
Expect median household income to fall 22.4% β $84,262 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
How far is Mobile, AL from Glendale, CA?
The driving distance is 2016 mi and the route typically takes 35h 6m 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 Glendale?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $194,564 in Mobile vs $1,201,880 in Glendale β a 83.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Glendale to Mobile?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2016 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Mobile compare to Glendale?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,660 in the Mobile MSA vs $50,490 in the Glendale 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 Glendale vs Mobile?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,090 in Mobile vs $84,262 in Glendale β a 39.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Mobile more expensive than Glendale?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Mobile is 22.4% lower than Glendale (88.098 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Glendale.
City profiles: Glendale, CA Β· Mobile, AL.