Is Birmingham or Chicago Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Birmingham is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 85/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 699 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 83% lower. Birmingham has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Birmingham has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 123.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Birmingham — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Birmingham, MI
Chicago, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Birmingham | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 698.7 | 4,012.2 | -3,313.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 56.3 | 539.9 | -483.6 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 17.5 | -17.5 |
| Rape Rate | 0.0 | 58.8 | -58.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 9.4 | 335.3 | -325.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 46.9 | 128.3 | -81.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 642.4 | 3,472.4 | -2,830.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 46.9 | 294.8 | -247.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 553.3 | 2,318.8 | -1,765.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 42.2 | 858.9 | -816.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Birmingham or Chicago safer?
Birmingham is safer with a total crime rate of 699 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 83% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Birmingham has a violent crime rate of 56.3 per 100K while Chicago has 539.9. Birmingham has lower violent crime.
About Birmingham, MI
Birmingham, Michigan, a affluent Detroit suburb, boasts a vibrant downtown with a rich history, once home to the Baldwin family. Its tree-lined streets and upscale boutiques define its character. With a safety score of 85/100 and a population coverage of 21,326, Birmingham has a total crime rate of 698.7 per 100,000 residents.
About Chicago, IL
Chicago, Illinois, a major Midwest hub and birthplace of the skyscraper, sits on Lake Michigan's shores. Its diverse population of over 2.7 million people contributes to its vibrant arts and culture scene. With a safety score of 8/100 and a population coverage of 2,638,698, Chicago has a total crime rate of 4,012.2 per 100,000 residents.