Moving from Mobile, AL to College Station, TX
It is 537 mi between Mobile and College Station β roughly 9h 58m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
537 mi Β· 9h 58m by car Β· AL β MS β LA β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | AL β MS β LA β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 12, US 90 |
| Major cities en route | New Orleans, Beaumont, Houston |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Mobile | College Station | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 88.098 | 90.951 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.185 | 84.39 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 60.116 | 75.088 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 88.098 vs 90.951 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 3.2% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $194,564 to $349,041 moving to College Station.
YoY change: Mobile -2.1%, College Station +0.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Mobile | College Station |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 69Β°F | 69Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 41Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 60.5" | 41.8" |
Annual average temperatures in Mobile (69.1Β°F) and College Station (69.4Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MOBILE DWTN AP, AL US, COLLEGE STN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Mobile | College Station |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 185,097 | 122,280 |
| Median household income | $51,090 | $51,776 |
| Median age | 37.7 | 22.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20% | 29.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.39 | 2.74 |
Median household incomes in Mobile ($51,090) and College Station ($51,776) are within a few percent (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in College Station MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 16,920 | $37,150 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 14,880 | $27,430 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 14,280 | $63,400 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 10,460 | $76,630 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 9,930 | $31,090 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Alabama and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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 College Station average 95Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in College Station compare to Mobile?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,710 in the College Station MSA vs $41,660 in the Mobile MSA, on total employment of 128,840 and 169,730 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is College Station more expensive than Mobile?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in College Station is 3.2% higher than Mobile (90.951 vs 88.098, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is College Station, TX from Mobile, AL?
The driving distance is 537 mi and the route typically takes 9h 58m via I 10 and I 12. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in College Station compared to Mobile?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $349,041 in College Station vs $194,564 in Mobile β a 79.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Mobile vs College Station?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,776 in College Station vs $51,090 in Mobile β a 1.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Mobile to College Station?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 537 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Mobile.
City profiles: Mobile, AL Β· College Station, TX.