Is Birmingham or Gardendale Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Gardendale is safer than Birmingham (Safety Score 47/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 1,785 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 Gardendale has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Birmingham is 12.1x 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
Gardendale — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Birmingham, AL
Gardendale, AL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Birmingham | Gardendale | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,278.9 | 1,785.4 | +3,493.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,247.6 | 192.2 | +1,055.4 |
| Murder Rate | 58.9 | 0.0 | +58.9 |
| Rape Rate | 14.8 | 0.0 | +14.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 201.1 | 6.2 | +194.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 971.8 | 186.0 | +785.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,031.4 | 1,593.2 | +2,438.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 729.7 | 117.8 | +611.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,493.6 | 1,308.0 | +1,185.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 808.0 | 167.4 | +640.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Birmingham or Gardendale safer?
Gardendale is safer with a total crime rate of 1,785 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 Gardendale has 192.2. Gardendale 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 Gardendale, AL
Gardendale, a northern suburb of Birmingham, was historically known as "Jugtown" for its pottery industry. Today, it's a growing community experiencing an influx of younger families. With a safety score of 47/100 and a population coverage of 16,131, Gardendale has a total crime rate of 1,785.4 per 100,000 residents.