Is Auburn or Birmingham Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Auburn is safer than Birmingham (Safety Score 71/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 1,086 per 100,000 versus 5,279 for Birmingham — 79% lower. Auburn has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Auburn has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Birmingham is 2.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Auburn — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Birmingham — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Auburn, AL
Birmingham, AL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Auburn | Birmingham | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,086.5 | 5,278.9 | -4,192.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 107.5 | 1,247.6 | -1,140.1 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 58.9 | -58.9 |
| Rape Rate | 19.1 | 14.8 | +4.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 9.6 | 201.1 | -191.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 78.8 | 971.8 | -893.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 979.0 | 4,031.4 | -3,052.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 39.4 | 729.7 | -690.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 871.6 | 2,493.6 | -1,622.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 68.1 | 808.0 | -740.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Auburn or Birmingham safer?
Auburn is safer with a total crime rate of 1,086 per 100K vs 5,279 for Birmingham — a 79% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Auburn has a violent crime rate of 107.5 per 100K while Birmingham has 1,247.6. Auburn has lower violent crime.
About Auburn, AL
Auburn, Alabama, a historic college town in eastern Alabama, is home to Auburn University, a land-grant institution. It boasts a growing population of over 76,000 residents, with a significant student presence. With a safety score of 71/100 and a population coverage of 83,756, Auburn has a total crime rate of 1,086.5 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.