Is Birmingham or Vestavia Hills Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Vestavia Hills is safer than Birmingham (Safety Score 84/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 728 per 100,000 versus 5,279 for Birmingham — 86% lower. Birmingham has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Vestavia Hills has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Birmingham is 5.2x 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
Vestavia Hills — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Birmingham, AL
Vestavia Hills, AL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Birmingham | Vestavia Hills | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,278.9 | 727.6 | +4,551.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,247.6 | 82.3 | +1,165.3 |
| Murder Rate | 58.9 | 0.0 | +58.9 |
| Rape Rate | 14.8 | 15.9 | -1.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 201.1 | 0.0 | +201.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 971.8 | 66.4 | +905.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,031.4 | 645.3 | +3,386.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 729.7 | 63.7 | +666.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,493.6 | 533.8 | +1,959.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 808.0 | 47.8 | +760.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Birmingham or Vestavia Hills safer?
Vestavia Hills is safer with a total crime rate of 728 per 100K vs 5,279 for Birmingham — a 86% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Birmingham has a violent crime rate of 1,247.6 per 100K while Vestavia Hills has 82.3. Vestavia Hills 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 Vestavia Hills, AL
Vestavia Hills, an affluent Birmingham suburb, grew significantly after WWII. It's known for its Vestavia Temple replica and sits atop Shades Mountain, primarily home to well-educated professionals. With a safety score of 84/100 and a population coverage of 37,658, Vestavia Hills has a total crime rate of 727.6 per 100,000 residents.