Is Birmingham or Gadsden Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Gadsden is safer than Birmingham (Safety Score 17/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 3,159 per 100,000 versus 5,279 for Birmingham — 40% lower. Birmingham has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Gadsden has a 79% lower rate.
Note: Birmingham is 5.9x 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
Gadsden — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Birmingham, AL
Gadsden, AL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Birmingham | Gadsden | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,278.9 | 3,159.2 | +2,119.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,247.6 | 581.6 | +666.0 |
| Murder Rate | 58.9 | 12.1 | +46.7 |
| Rape Rate | 14.8 | 12.1 | +2.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 201.1 | 48.5 | +152.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 971.8 | 508.9 | +462.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,031.4 | 2,577.6 | +1,453.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 729.7 | 293.8 | +435.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,493.6 | 2,065.7 | +427.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 808.0 | 218.1 | +589.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Birmingham or Gadsden safer?
Gadsden is safer with a total crime rate of 3,159 per 100K vs 5,279 for Birmingham — a 40% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Birmingham has a violent crime rate of 1,247.6 per 100K while Gadsden has 581.6. Gadsden 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 Gadsden, AL
Gadsden, a city in northeast Alabama's Appalachian foothills, sits on the Coosa River. It was a major industrial hub, home to Republic Steel, and is the county seat of Etowah County. With a safety score of 17/100 and a population coverage of 33,015, Gadsden has a total crime rate of 3,159.2 per 100,000 residents.