Is Anniston or Birmingham Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Anniston is safer than Birmingham (Safety Score 3/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 5,211 per 100,000 versus 5,279 for Birmingham — 1% lower. Anniston has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Anniston has a 68% lower rate.
Note: Birmingham is 9.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Quiz: which of these is SAFER than Anniston, AL?
Anniston — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Birmingham — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Anniston, AL
Birmingham, AL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Anniston | Birmingham | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,210.9 | 5,278.9 | -68.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 845.5 | 1,247.6 | -402.1 |
| Murder Rate | 19.0 | 58.9 | -39.9 |
| Rape Rate | 76.0 | 14.8 | +61.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.5 | 201.1 | -115.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 665.0 | 971.8 | -306.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,365.4 | 4,031.4 | +334.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 1,016.5 | 729.7 | +286.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,907.1 | 2,493.6 | +413.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 441.8 | 808.0 | -366.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Anniston or Birmingham safer?
Anniston is safer with a total crime rate of 5,211 per 100K vs 5,279 for Birmingham — a 1% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Anniston has a violent crime rate of 845.5 per 100K while Birmingham has 1,247.6. Anniston has lower violent crime.
About Anniston, AL
Anniston, a city in Calhoun County, Alabama, was founded by the Woodstock Iron Company. Nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, it's home to a diverse population. With a safety score of 3/100 and a population coverage of 21,052, Anniston has a total crime rate of 5,210.9 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.