Is Birmingham or Charlotte - Mecklenburg Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Charlotte - Mecklenburg is safer than Birmingham (Safety Score 6/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 4,439 per 100,000 versus 5,279 for Birmingham — 16% lower. Birmingham has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Charlotte - Mecklenburg has a 82% lower rate.
Note: Charlotte - Mecklenburg is 5.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Birmingham — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Charlotte - Mecklenburg — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Birmingham, AL
Charlotte - Mecklenburg, NC
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Birmingham | Charlotte - Mecklenburg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,278.9 | 4,439.0 | +839.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,247.6 | 733.7 | +513.9 |
| Murder Rate | 58.9 | 10.9 | +48.0 |
| Rape Rate | 14.8 | 24.9 | -10.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 201.1 | 130.4 | +70.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 971.8 | 567.0 | +404.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,031.4 | 3,705.3 | +326.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 729.7 | 427.1 | +302.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,493.6 | 2,518.2 | -24.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 808.0 | 760.0 | +48.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Birmingham or Charlotte - Mecklenburg safer?
Charlotte - Mecklenburg is safer with a total crime rate of 4,439 per 100K vs 5,279 for Birmingham — a 16% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Birmingham has a violent crime rate of 1,247.6 per 100K while Charlotte - Mecklenburg has 733.7. Charlotte - Mecklenburg has lower violent crime.
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.
About Charlotte - Mecklenburg, NC
Charlotte-Mecklenburg, a major financial hub, sits in the Carolina Piedmont. The region is home to the NASCAR Hall of Fame, reflecting its deep ties to motorsports. Its diverse population has grown significantly, making it North Carolina's largest county. With a safety score of 6/100 and a population coverage of 1,003,130, Charlotte - Mecklenburg has a total crime rate of 4,439.0 per 100,000 residents.
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