Is Birmingham or Leeds Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Leeds is safer than Birmingham (Safety Score 21/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 2,909 per 100,000 versus 5,279 for Birmingham — 45% lower. Birmingham has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Leeds has a 92% lower rate.
Note: Birmingham is 15.7x 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
Leeds — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Birmingham, AL
Leeds, AL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Birmingham | Leeds | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,278.9 | 2,908.8 | +2,370.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,247.6 | 297.3 | +950.3 |
| Murder Rate | 58.9 | 16.1 | +42.8 |
| Rape Rate | 14.8 | 56.3 | -41.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 201.1 | 16.1 | +185.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 971.8 | 208.9 | +762.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,031.4 | 2,611.5 | +1,419.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 729.7 | 313.4 | +416.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,493.6 | 2,137.4 | +356.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 808.0 | 160.7 | +647.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Birmingham or Leeds safer?
Leeds is safer with a total crime rate of 2,909 per 100K vs 5,279 for Birmingham — a 45% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Birmingham has a violent crime rate of 1,247.6 per 100K while Leeds has 297.3. Leeds 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 Leeds, AL
Leeds, Alabama, a city east of Birmingham at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, is known for its historic downtown and as the birthplace of baseball great Charles Barkley. Its population is around 12,000, with a diverse mix of residential and industrial areas. With a safety score of 21/100 and a population coverage of 12,445, Leeds has a total crime rate of 2,908.8 per 100,000 residents.