Is Birmingham or Madison Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Madison is safer than Birmingham (Safety Score 55/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 1,538 per 100,000 versus 5,279 for Birmingham — 71% lower. Birmingham has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Madison has a 95% lower rate.
Note: Birmingham is 3.1x 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
Madison — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Birmingham, AL
Madison, AL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Birmingham | Madison | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,278.9 | 1,538.2 | +3,740.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,247.6 | 211.0 | +1,036.6 |
| Murder Rate | 58.9 | 3.2 | +55.6 |
| Rape Rate | 14.8 | 29.0 | -14.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 201.1 | 16.1 | +185.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 971.8 | 162.7 | +809.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,031.4 | 1,327.2 | +2,704.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 729.7 | 106.3 | +623.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,493.6 | 1,124.2 | +1,369.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 808.0 | 96.6 | +711.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Birmingham or Madison safer?
Madison is safer with a total crime rate of 1,538 per 100K vs 5,279 for Birmingham — a 71% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Birmingham has a violent crime rate of 1,247.6 per 100K while Madison has 211.0. Madison 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 Madison, AL
Madison, Alabama, a rapidly growing city in North Alabama's Tennessee Valley, is home to Redstone Arsenal. Its population has surged, with many residents employed in aerospace and technology sectors. With a safety score of 55/100 and a population coverage of 62,087, Madison has a total crime rate of 1,538.2 per 100,000 residents.