Is Gadsden or Huntsville Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Huntsville is safer than Gadsden (Safety Score 22/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 2,872 per 100,000 versus 3,159 for Gadsden — 9% lower. Gadsden has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Huntsville has a 31% lower rate.
Note: Huntsville is 6.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Gadsden — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Huntsville — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Gadsden, AL
Huntsville, AL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Gadsden | Huntsville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,159.2 | 2,871.9 | +287.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 581.6 | 483.6 | +97.9 |
| Murder Rate | 12.1 | 8.3 | +3.8 |
| Rape Rate | 12.1 | 48.5 | -36.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 48.5 | 53.8 | -5.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 508.9 | 372.6 | +136.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,577.6 | 2,388.3 | +189.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 293.8 | 321.4 | -27.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,065.7 | 1,808.9 | +256.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 218.1 | 258.0 | -39.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gadsden or Huntsville safer?
Huntsville is safer with a total crime rate of 2,872 per 100K vs 3,159 for Gadsden — a 9% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Gadsden has a violent crime rate of 581.6 per 100K while Huntsville has 483.6. Huntsville has lower violent crime.
About Gadsden, AL
Gadsden, a city in northeast Alabama's Appalachian foothills, sits on the Coosa River. It was a major industrial hub, home to Republic Steel, and is the county seat of Etowah County. With a safety score of 17/100 and a population coverage of 33,015, Gadsden has a total crime rate of 3,159.2 per 100,000 residents.
About Huntsville, AL
Huntsville, Alabama, a city rooted in aerospace since the Space Race, sits in the Appalachian foothills. It's a growing tech hub with a significant population of highly educated professionals. With a safety score of 22/100 and a population coverage of 228,697, Huntsville has a total crime rate of 2,871.9 per 100,000 residents.