Is Birmingham or Opelika Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Opelika is safer than Birmingham (Safety Score 16/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 3,185 per 100,000 versus 5,279 for Birmingham — 40% lower. Birmingham has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Opelika has a 85% lower rate.
Note: Birmingham is 5.7x 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
Opelika — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Birmingham, AL
Opelika, AL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Birmingham | Opelika | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,278.9 | 3,184.5 | +2,094.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,247.6 | 560.3 | +687.3 |
| Murder Rate | 58.9 | 8.7 | +50.1 |
| Rape Rate | 14.8 | 49.4 | -34.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 201.1 | 55.2 | +146.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 971.8 | 447.1 | +524.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,031.4 | 2,624.3 | +1,407.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 729.7 | 206.1 | +523.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,493.6 | 2,217.8 | +275.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 808.0 | 200.3 | +607.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Birmingham or Opelika safer?
Opelika is safer with a total crime rate of 3,185 per 100K vs 5,279 for Birmingham — a 40% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Birmingham has a violent crime rate of 1,247.6 per 100K while Opelika has 560.3. Opelika 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 Opelika, AL
Opelika, a historic railroad town in Lee County, sits near the fall line of the Appalachian foothills. It's home to the Museum of East Alabama, reflecting its deep Southern heritage. With a safety score of 16/100 and a population coverage of 34,448, Opelika has a total crime rate of 3,184.5 per 100,000 residents.