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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Tuscaloosa, AL has a Safety Score of 15/100 — higher crime than 85% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 3,284.6 per 100,000 residents, ranking #2,515 of 2,971 US cities and #47 of 61 in Alabama.
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 for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 3,284.6 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Tuscaloosa ranks #47 out of 61 cities in Alabama and #2515 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 15th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 85% 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%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Tuscaloosa Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 630 | 553.4 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 18 | 15.8 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 20 | 17.6 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 68 | 59.7 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 524 | 460.3 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 3,109 | 2,731.2 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 363 | 318.9 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 2,458 | 2,159.3 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 288 | 253.0 | 352.4 |
| 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 | 510.3 | +8.5% |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,731.2 | 2,259.4 | +20.9% |
| Murder Rate | 15.8 | 13.1 | +21.1% |
| Total Crime Rate | 3,284.6 | 2,769.7 | +18.6% |
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 |
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 include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
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.