Is Birmingham or New York City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Birmingham is safer than New York City (Safety Score 85/100 vs 19/100), with a total crime rate of 699 per 100,000 versus 3,040 for New York City — 77% 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: New York City is 389.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Birmingham — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New York City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Birmingham, MI
New York City, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Birmingham | New York City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 698.7 | 3,039.7 | -2,341.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 56.3 | 671.4 | -615.2 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 3.9 | -3.9 |
| Rape Rate | 0.0 | 23.4 | -23.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 9.4 | 187.5 | -178.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 46.9 | 456.2 | -409.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 642.4 | 2,368.3 | -1,725.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 46.9 | 154.7 | -107.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 553.3 | 2,015.0 | -1,461.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 42.2 | 198.5 | -156.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Birmingham or New York City safer?
Birmingham is safer with a total crime rate of 699 per 100K vs 3,040 for New York City — a 77% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Birmingham has a violent crime rate of 56.3 per 100K while New York City has 671.4. 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 New York City, NY
New York City, a global financial hub, sits at the mouth of the Hudson River. Home to the iconic Statue of Liberty, its five boroughs house over 8 million people, making it the most populous city in the United States. With a safety score of 19/100 and a population coverage of 8,299,271, New York City has a total crime rate of 3,039.7 per 100,000 residents.