Is Birmingham or Saraland Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Saraland is safer than Birmingham (Safety Score 47/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 1,787 per 100,000 versus 5,279 for Birmingham — 66% lower. Birmingham has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Saraland has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Birmingham is 11.8x 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
Saraland — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Birmingham, AL
Saraland, AL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Birmingham | Saraland | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,278.9 | 1,787.3 | +3,491.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,247.6 | 84.8 | +1,162.8 |
| Murder Rate | 58.9 | 0.0 | +58.9 |
| Rape Rate | 14.8 | 24.2 | -9.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 201.1 | 12.1 | +189.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 971.8 | 48.5 | +923.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,031.4 | 1,702.5 | +2,328.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 729.7 | 90.9 | +638.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,493.6 | 1,508.6 | +985.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 808.0 | 103.0 | +705.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Birmingham or Saraland safer?
Saraland is safer with a total crime rate of 1,787 per 100K vs 5,279 for Birmingham — a 66% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Birmingham has a violent crime rate of 1,247.6 per 100K while Saraland has 84.8. Saraland 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 Saraland, AL
Saraland, a northern suburb of Mobile, developed around the thriving timber industry. Its population has grown steadily, reaching over 16,000 residents, with a notable increase in families and younger demographics. With a safety score of 47/100 and a population coverage of 16,505, Saraland has a total crime rate of 1,787.3 per 100,000 residents.