Is Birmingham or Phenix City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Phenix City is safer than Birmingham (Safety Score 7/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 4,248 per 100,000 versus 5,279 for Birmingham — 20% lower. Birmingham has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Phenix City has a 87% lower rate.
Note: Birmingham is 5.1x 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
Phenix City — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Birmingham, AL
Phenix City, AL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Birmingham | Phenix City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,278.9 | 4,248.1 | +1,030.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,247.6 | 777.6 | +470.0 |
| Murder Rate | 58.9 | 7.8 | +51.0 |
| Rape Rate | 14.8 | 49.6 | -34.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 201.1 | 70.5 | +130.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 971.8 | 649.7 | +322.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,031.4 | 3,470.5 | +560.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 729.7 | 508.8 | +220.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,493.6 | 2,630.3 | -136.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 808.0 | 331.4 | +476.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Birmingham or Phenix City safer?
Phenix City is safer with a total crime rate of 4,248 per 100K vs 5,279 for Birmingham — a 20% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Birmingham has a violent crime rate of 1,247.6 per 100K while Phenix City has 777.6. Phenix City 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 Phenix City, AL
Phenix City, Alabama, straddles the Chattahoochee River across from Columbus, Georgia. Once known as "Sin City" for its rampant vice, it's a diverse community with a significant Black population. With a safety score of 7/100 and a population coverage of 38,323, Phenix City has a total crime rate of 4,248.1 per 100,000 residents.