Moving from Birmingham, AL to Decatur, AL?
The Moving Checklist Planner turns your move-in date into a dated checklist, packing inventory and budget — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.
Is Birmingham, AL or Decatur, AL Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Decatur, AL is safer than Birmingham, AL (Safety Score 21/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 2,916 per 100,000 versus 5,279 for Birmingham, AL — 45% lower. Birmingham has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Decatur has a 85% lower rate.
Note: Birmingham is 3.3x 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 MORE DANGEROUS than Birmingham, AL?
Birmingham — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Decatur — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Birmingham, AL
Decatur, AL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Birmingham | Decatur | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,278.9 | 2,915.5 | +2,363.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,247.6 | 606.7 | +640.9 |
| Murder Rate | 58.9 | 8.5 | +50.3 |
| Rape Rate | 14.8 | 54.7 | -39.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 201.1 | 44.4 | +156.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 971.8 | 499.0 | +472.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,031.4 | 2,308.9 | +1,722.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 729.7 | 193.1 | +536.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,493.6 | 1,833.8 | +659.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 808.0 | 282.0 | +526.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Moving from Birmingham, AL to Decatur, AL?
The Moving Checklist Planner turns your move-in date into a dated checklist, packing inventory and budget — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Birmingham or Decatur safer?
Decatur, AL is safer with a total crime rate of 2,916 per 100K vs 5,279 for Birmingham, AL — a 45% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Birmingham has a violent crime rate of 1,247.6 per 100K while Decatur has 606.7. Decatur 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 Decatur, AL
Decatur, "The River City," sits on the Tennessee River in Morgan County. This North Alabama city, historically a railroad hub, is now home to a diverse population of over 55,000 residents. With a safety score of 21/100 and a population coverage of 58,514, Decatur has a total crime rate of 2,915.5 per 100,000 residents.