Is Birmingham or Syracuse Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Syracuse is safer than Birmingham (Safety Score 4/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 4,999 per 100,000 versus 5,279 for Birmingham — 5% lower. Birmingham has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Syracuse has a 74% lower rate.
Birmingham — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Syracuse — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Birmingham, AL
Syracuse, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Birmingham | Syracuse | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,278.9 | 4,999.5 | +279.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,247.6 | 765.3 | +482.3 |
| Murder Rate | 58.9 | 15.2 | +43.7 |
| Rape Rate | 14.8 | 58.6 | -43.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 201.1 | 133.6 | +67.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 971.8 | 558.0 | +413.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,031.4 | 4,234.2 | -202.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 729.7 | 721.2 | +8.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,493.6 | 2,638.2 | -144.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 808.0 | 874.8 | -66.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Birmingham or Syracuse safer?
Syracuse is safer with a total crime rate of 4,999 per 100K vs 5,279 for Birmingham — a 5% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Birmingham has a violent crime rate of 1,247.6 per 100K while Syracuse has 765.3. Syracuse 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 Syracuse, NY
Syracuse, a city in Central New York, is home to Syracuse University and its distinctive Carrier Dome. Located near Onondaga Lake, it experiences significant annual snowfall due to lake-effect weather. With a safety score of 4/100 and a population coverage of 145,175, Syracuse has a total crime rate of 4,999.5 per 100,000 residents.