Is Birmingham or Helena Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Helena is safer than Birmingham (Safety Score 92/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 507 per 100,000 versus 5,279 for Birmingham — 90% lower. Birmingham has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Helena has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Birmingham is 8.7x 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
Helena — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Birmingham, AL
Helena, AL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Birmingham | Helena | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,278.9 | 507.3 | +4,771.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,247.6 | 71.2 | +1,176.4 |
| Murder Rate | 58.9 | 0.0 | +58.9 |
| Rape Rate | 14.8 | 8.9 | +5.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 201.1 | 0.0 | +201.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 971.8 | 62.3 | +909.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,031.4 | 436.1 | +3,595.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 729.7 | 53.4 | +676.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,493.6 | 329.3 | +2,164.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 808.0 | 53.4 | +754.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Birmingham or Helena safer?
Helena is safer with a total crime rate of 507 per 100K vs 5,279 for Birmingham — a 90% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Birmingham has a violent crime rate of 1,247.6 per 100K while Helena has 71.2. Helena 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 Helena, AL
Helena, once a bustling railroad town, sits along the Cahaba River in Shelby County. This picturesque community, part of the Birmingham metropolitan area, has experienced significant population growth in recent decades. With a safety score of 92/100 and a population coverage of 22,470, Helena has a total crime rate of 507.3 per 100,000 residents.