Is Birmingham or Sylacauga Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Sylacauga is safer than Birmingham (Safety Score 8/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 4,038 per 100,000 versus 5,279 for Birmingham — 24% lower. Birmingham has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Sylacauga has a 86% lower rate.
Note: Birmingham is 16.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Quiz: which of these is SAFER than Birmingham, AL?
Birmingham — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Sylacauga — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Birmingham, AL
Sylacauga, AL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Birmingham | Sylacauga | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,278.9 | 4,038.3 | +1,240.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,247.6 | 561.6 | +686.0 |
| Murder Rate | 58.9 | 8.3 | +50.6 |
| Rape Rate | 14.8 | 24.8 | -9.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 201.1 | 33.0 | +168.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 971.8 | 495.5 | +476.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,031.4 | 3,476.8 | +554.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 729.7 | 875.4 | -145.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,493.6 | 2,461.0 | +32.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 808.0 | 140.4 | +667.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Birmingham or Sylacauga safer?
Sylacauga is safer with a total crime rate of 4,038 per 100K vs 5,279 for Birmingham — a 24% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Birmingham has a violent crime rate of 1,247.6 per 100K while Sylacauga has 561.6. Sylacauga 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 Sylacauga, AL
Sylacauga, Alabama, "The Marble City," sits in Talladega County, known for its high-quality marble quarries. This city of over 12,000 residents is nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. With a safety score of 8/100 and a population coverage of 12,109, Sylacauga has a total crime rate of 4,038.3 per 100,000 residents.