Is Birmingham or San Antonio Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Antonio is safer than Birmingham (Safety Score 3/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 5,219 per 100,000 versus 5,279 for Birmingham — 1% lower. Birmingham has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Antonio has a 86% lower rate.
Note: San Antonio is 7.7x 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
San Antonio — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Birmingham, AL
San Antonio, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Birmingham | San Antonio | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,278.9 | 5,219.0 | +60.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,247.6 | 595.3 | +652.3 |
| Murder Rate | 58.9 | 8.4 | +50.5 |
| Rape Rate | 14.8 | 83.7 | -68.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 201.1 | 108.4 | +92.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 971.8 | 393.7 | +578.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,031.4 | 4,623.6 | -592.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 729.7 | 495.6 | +234.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,493.6 | 3,291.8 | -798.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 808.0 | 836.3 | -28.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Birmingham or San Antonio safer?
San Antonio is safer with a total crime rate of 5,219 per 100K vs 5,279 for Birmingham — a 1% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Birmingham has a violent crime rate of 1,247.6 per 100K while San Antonio has 595.3. San Antonio 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 San Antonio, TX
San Antonio, a South Texas city famed for the Alamo, sits along the Balcones Escarpment. Its population is predominantly Hispanic, reflecting a rich blend of cultures. With a safety score of 3/100 and a population coverage of 1,514,458, San Antonio has a total crime rate of 5,219.0 per 100,000 residents.