Is Birmingham or Fort Payne Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Fort Payne is safer than Birmingham (Safety Score 47/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 1,775 per 100,000 versus 5,279 for Birmingham — 66% lower. Birmingham has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Fort Payne has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Birmingham is 13.0x 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
Fort Payne — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Birmingham, AL
Fort Payne, AL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Birmingham | Fort Payne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,278.9 | 1,775.2 | +3,503.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,247.6 | 160.2 | +1,087.4 |
| Murder Rate | 58.9 | 0.0 | +58.9 |
| Rape Rate | 14.8 | 20.0 | -5.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 201.1 | 0.0 | +201.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 971.8 | 140.2 | +831.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,031.4 | 1,615.1 | +2,416.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 729.7 | 287.0 | +442.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,493.6 | 1,194.6 | +1,299.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 808.0 | 133.5 | +674.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Birmingham or Fort Payne safer?
Fort Payne is safer with a total crime rate of 1,775 per 100K vs 5,279 for Birmingham — a 66% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Birmingham has a violent crime rate of 1,247.6 per 100K while Fort Payne has 160.2. Fort Payne 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 Fort Payne, AL
Nestled in the Appalachian foothills, Fort Payne is a small city known as the "Sock Capital of the World." It was once home to the country music band Alabama and has a population of around 13,000. With a safety score of 47/100 and a population coverage of 14,984, Fort Payne has a total crime rate of 1,775.2 per 100,000 residents.