Is Birmingham or Jacksonville Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Jacksonville is safer than Birmingham (Safety Score 34/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 2,268 per 100,000 versus 5,279 for Birmingham — 57% lower. Birmingham has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Jacksonville has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Birmingham is 13.2x 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
Jacksonville — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Birmingham, AL
Jacksonville, AL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Birmingham | Jacksonville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,278.9 | 2,268.4 | +3,010.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,247.6 | 607.6 | +640.0 |
| Murder Rate | 58.9 | 0.0 | +58.9 |
| Rape Rate | 14.8 | 40.5 | -25.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 201.1 | 6.8 | +194.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 971.8 | 560.4 | +411.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,031.4 | 1,660.8 | +2,370.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 729.7 | 222.8 | +506.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,493.6 | 1,404.3 | +1,089.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 808.0 | 33.8 | +774.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Birmingham or Jacksonville safer?
Jacksonville is safer with a total crime rate of 2,268 per 100K vs 5,279 for Birmingham — a 57% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Birmingham has a violent crime rate of 1,247.6 per 100K while Jacksonville has 607.6. Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville, AL
Jacksonville, Alabama, home to Jacksonville State University, is nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in Calhoun County. This city of just over 12,000 residents played a significant role in the Creek War. With a safety score of 34/100 and a population coverage of 14,812, Jacksonville has a total crime rate of 2,268.4 per 100,000 residents.