Is Fort Payne or Mobile Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Fort Payne is safer than Mobile (Safety Score 47/100 vs 30/100), with a total crime rate of 1,775 per 100,000 versus 2,426 for Mobile — 27% lower. Fort Payne has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Fort Payne has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Mobile is 15.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Fort Payne — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Mobile — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Fort Payne, AL
Mobile, AL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Fort Payne | Mobile | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,775.2 | 2,426.5 | -651.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 160.2 | 752.0 | -591.9 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 16.5 | -16.5 |
| Rape Rate | 20.0 | 26.2 | -6.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 52.7 | -52.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 140.2 | 656.7 | -516.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,615.1 | 1,674.5 | -59.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 287.0 | 313.4 | -26.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,194.6 | 1,188.6 | +6.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 133.5 | 172.5 | -39.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fort Payne or Mobile safer?
Fort Payne is safer with a total crime rate of 1,775 per 100K vs 2,426 for Mobile — a 27% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Fort Payne has a violent crime rate of 160.2 per 100K while Mobile has 752.0. Fort Payne has lower violent crime.
About Fort Payne, AL
Nestled in the Appalachian foothills, Fort Payne is a small city known as the "Sock Capital of the World." It was once home to the country music band Alabama and has a population of around 13,000. With a safety score of 47/100 and a population coverage of 14,984, Fort Payne has a total crime rate of 1,775.2 per 100,000 residents.
About Mobile, AL
Mobile, Alabama, a port city on Mobile Bay, boasts a rich Mardi Gras tradition predating New Orleans. Its population is predominantly African American, reflecting its deep Southern roots. With a safety score of 30/100 and a population coverage of 237,092, Mobile has a total crime rate of 2,426.5 per 100,000 residents.