Is Birmingham or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Birmingham is safer than Houston (Safety Score 85/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 699 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 87% 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: Houston is 108.7x 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
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Birmingham, MI
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Birmingham | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 698.7 | 5,441.7 | -4,743.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 56.3 | 1,148.3 | -1,092.0 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 13.8 | -13.8 |
| Rape Rate | 0.0 | 73.0 | -73.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 9.4 | 274.0 | -264.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 46.9 | 787.4 | -740.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 642.4 | 4,293.5 | -3,651.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 46.9 | 644.8 | -597.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 553.3 | 2,945.7 | -2,392.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 42.2 | 703.0 | -660.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Birmingham or Houston safer?
Birmingham is safer with a total crime rate of 699 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 87% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Birmingham has a violent crime rate of 56.3 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. 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 Houston, TX
Houston, the "Space City," is a sprawling metropolis in Southeast Texas, home to NASA's Johnson Space Center. Its diverse population makes it one of the most multicultural cities in the U.S., with significant Hispanic and Asian communities. With a safety score of 3/100 and a population coverage of 2,319,160, Houston has a total crime rate of 5,441.7 per 100,000 residents.