Is Birmingham or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Phoenix is safer than Birmingham (Safety Score 17/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100,000 versus 5,279 for Birmingham — 41% lower. Birmingham has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Phoenix has a 86% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 8.5x 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
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Birmingham, AL
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Birmingham | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,278.9 | 3,125.4 | +2,153.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,247.6 | 800.0 | +447.6 |
| Murder Rate | 58.9 | 8.4 | +50.5 |
| Rape Rate | 14.8 | 64.3 | -49.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 201.1 | 181.6 | +19.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 971.8 | 545.3 | +426.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,031.4 | 2,325.3 | +1,706.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 729.7 | 317.2 | +412.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,493.6 | 1,582.1 | +911.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 808.0 | 426.0 | +382.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Birmingham or Phoenix safer?
Phoenix is safer with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100K vs 5,279 for Birmingham — a 41% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Birmingham has a violent crime rate of 1,247.6 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Phoenix 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 Phoenix, AZ
Phoenix, Arizona, the "Valley of the Sun," is a sprawling desert metropolis with a rich Native American heritage, including the Hohokam people. It's the fifth-largest city in the United States by population, experiencing rapid growth in recent decades. With a safety score of 17/100 and a population coverage of 1,662,809, Phoenix has a total crime rate of 3,125.4 per 100,000 residents.