Is Birmingham or Rainbow City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Rainbow City is safer than Birmingham (Safety Score 74/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 1,013 per 100,000 versus 5,279 for Birmingham — 81% lower. Birmingham has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Rainbow City has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Birmingham is 18.9x 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
Rainbow City — 2-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Birmingham, AL
Rainbow City, AL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Birmingham | Rainbow City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,278.9 | 1,013.3 | +4,265.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,247.6 | 86.9 | +1,160.7 |
| Murder Rate | 58.9 | 0.0 | +58.9 |
| Rape Rate | 14.8 | 19.3 | -4.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 201.1 | 0.0 | +201.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 971.8 | 67.6 | +904.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,031.4 | 926.5 | +3,104.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 729.7 | 96.5 | +633.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,493.6 | 762.4 | +1,731.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 808.0 | 67.6 | +740.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Birmingham or Rainbow City safer?
Rainbow City is safer with a total crime rate of 1,013 per 100K vs 5,279 for Birmingham — a 81% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Birmingham has a violent crime rate of 1,247.6 per 100K while Rainbow City has 86.9. Rainbow 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 Rainbow City, AL
Rainbow City, Alabama, named for a local legend of a rainbow arcing over the river, sits in Etowah County. This small city, with a population around 10,000, lies on the Coosa River, offering scenic views. With a safety score of 74/100 and a population coverage of 10,362, Rainbow City has a total crime rate of 1,013.3 per 100,000 residents.