Is Birmingham or Los Angeles Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Los Angeles is safer than Birmingham (Safety Score 35/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100,000 versus 5,279 for Birmingham — 58% lower. Birmingham has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Los Angeles has a 88% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 19.4x 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
Los Angeles — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Birmingham, AL
Los Angeles, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Birmingham | Los Angeles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,278.9 | 2,212.5 | +3,066.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,247.6 | 728.5 | +519.0 |
| Murder Rate | 58.9 | 7.0 | +51.9 |
| Rape Rate | 14.8 | 40.3 | -25.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 201.1 | 209.9 | -8.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 971.8 | 471.4 | +500.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,031.4 | 1,483.9 | +2,547.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 729.7 | 372.8 | +356.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,493.6 | 851.5 | +1,642.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 808.0 | 259.6 | +548.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Birmingham or Los Angeles safer?
Los Angeles is safer with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100K vs 5,279 for Birmingham — a 58% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Birmingham has a violent crime rate of 1,247.6 per 100K while Los Angeles has 728.5. Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles, a sprawling Southern California metropolis, is a major Pacific Rim gateway, home to Hollywood's film industry. Its diverse population of nearly 4 million people resides across a vast urban landscape bordered by mountains and the Pacific Ocean. With a safety score of 35/100 and a population coverage of 3,796,352, Los Angeles has a total crime rate of 2,212.5 per 100,000 residents.