Is Birmingham or Lafayette Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Birmingham is safer than Lafayette (Safety Score 3/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 5,279 per 100,000 versus 5,414 for Lafayette — 2% lower. Birmingham has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Lafayette has a 75% lower rate.
Birmingham — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lafayette — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Birmingham, AL
Lafayette, LA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Birmingham | Lafayette | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,278.9 | 5,413.6 | -134.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,247.6 | 1,066.1 | +181.5 |
| Murder Rate | 58.9 | 14.8 | +44.0 |
| Rape Rate | 14.8 | 33.8 | -18.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 201.1 | 69.2 | +132.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 971.8 | 948.4 | +23.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,031.4 | 4,347.5 | -316.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 729.7 | 661.1 | +68.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,493.6 | 3,227.9 | -734.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 808.0 | 458.6 | +349.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Birmingham or Lafayette safer?
Birmingham is safer with a total crime rate of 5,279 per 100K vs 5,414 for Lafayette — a 2% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Birmingham has a violent crime rate of 1,247.6 per 100K while Lafayette has 1,066.1. Lafayette 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 Lafayette, LA
Lafayette, at the heart of Acadiana, is a vibrant hub of Cajun and Creole culture, known for its lively music and food scene. Situated along the Vermilion River, it's the most populous city in the Lafayette metropolitan area. With a safety score of 3/100 and a population coverage of 121,471, Lafayette has a total crime rate of 5,413.6 per 100,000 residents.