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Moving to Tuscaloosa, AL?
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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI crime data, Tuscaloosa, AL has a Safety Score of 15/100 — higher crime than 84% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 3,284.6 per 100,000 residents, ranking #2,499 of 2,957 US cities and #46 of 60 in Alabama.
Quiz: which of these is MORE DANGEROUS than Tuscaloosa, AL?
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Tuscaloosa, Alabama Safe?
Tuscaloosa, home to the University of Alabama, sits on the Black Warrior River in west-central Alabama. Its population is approximately 100,000, with a significant student presence.
Tuscaloosa has a safety score of 15/100 (High Crime). Based on FBI data, the city reported a total crime rate of 3,284.6 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,785.9 per 100,000.
Tuscaloosa ranks #46 out of 60 cities in Alabama and #2499 out of 2957 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 16th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 84% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Tuscaloosa is murder, at 15.8 per 100K — 2.5x the national average. Conversely, rape is relatively low at just 0.4x the national rate.
Year over year, Tuscaloosa's total crime rate decreased by 6.1%, with violent crime declining 1.1%.
Larceny-theft in Tuscaloosa runs 1.3x the national average. Basic measures help — exterior lighting, locked and reinforced entry points — but if you rent, your landlord's policy covers the building, not your belongings. Renters insurance typically covers personal property lost to theft or a break-in; you can get a renters insurance quote online in a few minutes.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Tuscaloosa Crime Statistics Breakdown
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 630 | 553.4 | 478.2 |
| Murder | 18 | 15.8 | 6.3 |
| Rape | 20 | 17.6 | 43.8 |
| Robbery | 68 | 59.7 | 94.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 524 | 460.3 | 333.5 |
| Property Crime | 3,109 | 2,731.2 | 2,307.7 |
| Burglary | 363 | 318.9 | 292.0 |
| Larceny-Theft | 2,458 | 2,159.3 | 1,657.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 288 | 253.0 | 358.0 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Tuscaloosa vs Alabama Average
How does Tuscaloosa's crime rate compare to the Alabama state average?
| Metric | Tuscaloosa | Alabama Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 553.4 | 512.5 | +8.0% |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,731.2 | 2,269.3 | +20.4% |
| Murder Rate | 15.8 | 13.1 | +20.5% |
| Total Crime Rate | 3,284.6 | 2,781.8 | +18.1% |
Tuscaloosa Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 113,834 | 3,284.6 | 553.4 | 2,731.2 |
| 2023 | 113,956 | 3,497.8 | 559.9 | 2,938.0 |
| 2022 | 101,280 | 3,549.6 | 644.8 | 2,904.8 |
| 2021 | 104,151 | 1,076.3 | 214.1 | 862.2 |
| 2020 | 102,391 | 2,343.0 | 347.7 | 1,995.3 |
Tuscaloosa Crime Map — Surrounding Area
City-level crime rates from FBI data for Tuscaloosa and nearby cities — green is safer, red is higher-crime; circle size is population. Not an incident-level map. Full state view: Alabama crime map.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tuscaloosa, Alabama safe?
Tuscaloosa has a safety score of 15/100, meaning it has less crime than about 15% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 3,284.6 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Tuscaloosa is among the highest-crime US cities.
What is the crime rate in Tuscaloosa, Alabama?
According to FBI data for 2024, Tuscaloosa has a violent crime rate of 553.4 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 2,731.2 per 100,000 residents.
How does Tuscaloosa compare to the national average?
Tuscaloosa's total crime rate of 3,284.6 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 113,834 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Tuscaloosa?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Tuscaloosa are larceny-theft (2,458 reported incidents) and aggravated assault (524 reported incidents). Property crime outnumbers violent crime 4.9x in the city.
Is Tuscaloosa safe to visit?
Like any city, Tuscaloosa has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 15/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.
How can I protect my home in Tuscaloosa?
Start with the fundamentals: exterior lighting, locked and reinforced entry points, and knowing your neighbors. If you rent, make sure your belongings are insured — a landlord's policy covers the building, not your things. You can see a renters insurance quote online.