Is Birmingham or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Birmingham (Safety Score 38/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 5,279 for Birmingham — 61% lower. Birmingham has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 96% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 7.1x 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
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Birmingham, AL
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Birmingham | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,278.9 | 2,082.4 | +3,196.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,247.6 | 412.4 | +835.2 |
| Murder Rate | 58.9 | 2.5 | +56.3 |
| Rape Rate | 14.8 | 21.4 | -6.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 201.1 | 77.4 | +123.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 971.8 | 310.9 | +660.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,031.4 | 1,670.0 | +2,361.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 729.7 | 187.4 | +542.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,493.6 | 1,087.1 | +1,406.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 808.0 | 395.5 | +412.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Birmingham or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 5,279 for Birmingham — a 61% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Birmingham has a violent crime rate of 1,247.6 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. San Diego 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 Diego, CA
San Diego, California, a major port city with a significant Hispanic population, sits on the Pacific Ocean just north of the Mexican border. Known for its mild climate and Balboa Park, it's also home to a large naval presence. With a safety score of 38/100 and a population coverage of 1,389,024, San Diego has a total crime rate of 2,082.4 per 100,000 residents.