Is Birmingham or Hoover Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Hoover is safer than Birmingham (Safety Score 62/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 1,335 per 100,000 versus 5,279 for Birmingham — 75% lower. Birmingham has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Hoover has a 95% lower rate.
Note: Birmingham is 2.1x 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
Hoover — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Birmingham, AL
Hoover, AL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Birmingham | Hoover | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,278.9 | 1,335.1 | +3,943.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,247.6 | 78.0 | +1,169.6 |
| Murder Rate | 58.9 | 3.3 | +55.6 |
| Rape Rate | 14.8 | 9.8 | +5.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 201.1 | 9.8 | +191.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 971.8 | 55.2 | +916.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,031.4 | 1,257.2 | +2,774.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 729.7 | 75.8 | +653.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,493.6 | 1,114.2 | +1,379.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 808.0 | 67.1 | +740.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Birmingham or Hoover safer?
Hoover is safer with a total crime rate of 1,335 per 100K vs 5,279 for Birmingham — a 75% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Birmingham has a violent crime rate of 1,247.6 per 100K while Hoover has 78.0. Hoover 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 Hoover, AL
Hoover, Alabama, a large suburb south of Birmingham, is home to the Riverchase Galleria, one of the largest shopping malls in the Southeast. This city in Shelby and Jefferson counties has grown significantly since its 1967 incorporation. With a safety score of 62/100 and a population coverage of 92,352, Hoover has a total crime rate of 1,335.1 per 100,000 residents.