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Birmingham vs Huntsville: Crime & Safety Comparison (2026)

Updated October 2026 · Based on 2023 FBI UCR data

Birmingham has a crime rate of 25.6 per 1,000 residents vs Huntsville's 26.5 per 1,000, making Birmingham 3% safer overall. Birmingham earns a C+ safety grade compared to Huntsville's C+. Both figures are based on 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data.

C+

Birmingham

Alabama

Overall GradeC+
Violent CrimeC+
Property CrimeC+
Crime Rate25.6/1K
Percentile43%
C+

Huntsville

Alabama

Overall GradeC+
Violent CrimeC+
Property CrimeC+
Crime Rate26.5/1K
Percentile41%

Head-to-Head Crime Comparison

MetricBirminghamHuntsville
Overall Crime Rate25.6/1K26.5/1K
Violent Crime Rate392.1432.2
Property Crime Rate2164.32217.0
Murder Rate6.55.8
Assault Rate263.7274.7
Robbery Rate91.167.8
Burglary Rate321.1338.5
Theft Rate1774.41795.0
Vehicle Theft Rate351.8204.9

Crime rates per 100,000 residents. 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data. Lower rates are better (safer).

Category Winner Summary

Out of 9 crime categories, Birmingham is safer in 6 and Huntsville is safer in 3.

Victim Odds Comparison

In Birmingham, you have a 1 in 39 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 38 in Huntsville.

Full Safety Reports

C+
Birmingham, Alabama Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends
C+
Huntsville, Alabama Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Birmingham safer than Huntsville?
As of 2026, Birmingham is 3% safer overall, with a crime rate of 25.6 per 1,000 residents compared to Huntsville's 26.5. Birmingham earns a C+ safety grade vs Huntsville's C+. Based on 2023 FBI UCR data.
Which city has more violent crime, Birmingham or Huntsville?
Huntsville has more violent crime at 432 per 100,000 residents. Birmingham is safer for violent crime. The national average is 363.8 per 100,000.
What is the crime rate in Birmingham vs Huntsville?
Birmingham has a crime rate of 25.6 per 1,000 (violent: 392/100K, property: 2164/100K). Huntsville has 26.5 per 1,000 (violent: 432/100K, property: 2217/100K).
Should I move to Birmingham or Huntsville?
From a safety perspective, Birmingham has lower crime rates across most categories. However, safety is just one factor. Birmingham (pop. 195,893) and Huntsville (pop. 233,627) differ in cost of living, job market, climate, and culture. Birmingham's C+ safety grade is a plus, but research all factors before deciding.
How do Birmingham and Huntsville compare for property crime?
Birmingham has lower property crime at 2164 per 100K vs Huntsville's 2217. The national average is 1,832 per 100K. Theft is the most common property crime in both cities.

2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

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