Is Alabaster or Birmingham Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Alabaster is safer than Birmingham (Safety Score 52/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 1,610 per 100,000 versus 5,279 for Birmingham — 70% lower. Alabaster has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Alabaster has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Birmingham is 5.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Alabaster — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Birmingham — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Alabaster, AL
Birmingham, AL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Alabaster | Birmingham | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,609.9 | 5,278.9 | -3,669.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 99.0 | 1,247.6 | -1,148.6 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 58.9 | -58.9 |
| Rape Rate | 2.9 | 14.8 | -11.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 11.7 | 201.1 | -189.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 84.4 | 971.8 | -887.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,511.0 | 4,031.4 | -2,520.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 49.5 | 729.7 | -680.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,397.4 | 2,493.6 | -1,096.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 64.1 | 808.0 | -744.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Alabaster or Birmingham safer?
Alabaster is safer with a total crime rate of 1,610 per 100K vs 5,279 for Birmingham — a 70% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Alabaster has a violent crime rate of 99.0 per 100K while Birmingham has 1,247.6. Alabaster has lower violent crime.
About Alabaster, AL
Alabaster, Alabama, a city named for its once-abundant marble quarries, lies just south of Birmingham. Its population, a mix of long-time residents and newer suburban families, enjoys the rolling hills of Shelby County. With a safety score of 52/100 and a population coverage of 34,349, Alabaster has a total crime rate of 1,609.9 per 100,000 residents.
About Birmingham, AL
Birmingham, Alabama, a city forged in the steel industry, sits at the southern end of the Appalachian Mountains. It's the most populous city in Alabama's Jefferson County. With a safety score of 3/100 and a population coverage of 195,418, Birmingham has a total crime rate of 5,278.9 per 100,000 residents.