Is Birmingham or Chicago Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Chicago is safer than Birmingham (Safety Score 8/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100,000 versus 5,279 for Birmingham — 24% lower. Birmingham has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Chicago has a 70% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 13.5x 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 MORE DANGEROUS than Birmingham, AL?
Birmingham — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Birmingham, AL
Chicago, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Birmingham | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,278.9 | 4,012.2 | +1,266.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,247.6 | 539.9 | +707.7 |
| Murder Rate | 58.9 | 17.5 | +41.4 |
| Rape Rate | 14.8 | 58.8 | -43.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 201.1 | 335.3 | -134.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 971.8 | 128.3 | +843.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,031.4 | 3,472.4 | +559.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 729.7 | 294.8 | +435.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,493.6 | 2,318.8 | +174.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 808.0 | 858.9 | -50.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Birmingham or Chicago safer?
Chicago is safer with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100K vs 5,279 for Birmingham — a 24% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Birmingham has a violent crime rate of 1,247.6 per 100K while Chicago has 539.9. Chicago 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 Chicago, IL
Chicago, Illinois, a major Midwest hub and birthplace of the skyscraper, sits on Lake Michigan's shores. Its diverse population of over 2.7 million people contributes to its vibrant arts and culture scene. With a safety score of 8/100 and a population coverage of 2,638,698, Chicago has a total crime rate of 4,012.2 per 100,000 residents.