Is Birmingham or Valley Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Valley is safer than Birmingham (Safety Score 7/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 4,248 per 100,000 versus 5,279 for Birmingham — 20% lower. Birmingham has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Valley has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Birmingham is 19.1x 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
Valley — 2-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Birmingham, AL
Valley, AL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Birmingham | Valley | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,278.9 | 4,247.6 | +1,031.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,247.6 | 410.1 | +837.5 |
| Murder Rate | 58.9 | 0.0 | +58.9 |
| Rape Rate | 14.8 | 29.3 | -14.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 201.1 | 58.6 | +142.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 971.8 | 292.9 | +678.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,031.4 | 3,837.5 | +193.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 729.7 | 332.0 | +397.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,493.6 | 3,271.2 | -777.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 808.0 | 234.4 | +573.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Birmingham or Valley safer?
Valley is safer with a total crime rate of 4,248 per 100K vs 5,279 for Birmingham — a 20% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Birmingham has a violent crime rate of 1,247.6 per 100K while Valley has 410.1. Valley 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 Valley, AL
Valley, Alabama, a mill town in Chambers County along the Chattahoochee River, was once home to numerous textile mills. Its economy historically revolved around these mills, reflecting a common Southern industrial past. With a safety score of 7/100 and a population coverage of 10,241, Valley has a total crime rate of 4,247.6 per 100,000 residents.