Is Helena or Huntsville Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Helena is safer than Huntsville (Safety Score 92/100 vs 22/100), with a total crime rate of 507 per 100,000 versus 2,872 for Huntsville — 82% lower. Helena has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Helena has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Huntsville is 10.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Helena — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Huntsville — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Helena, AL
Huntsville, AL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Helena | Huntsville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 507.3 | 2,871.9 | -2,364.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 71.2 | 483.6 | -412.4 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 8.3 | -8.3 |
| Rape Rate | 8.9 | 48.5 | -39.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 53.8 | -53.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 62.3 | 372.6 | -310.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 436.1 | 2,388.3 | -1,952.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 53.4 | 321.4 | -268.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 329.3 | 1,808.9 | -1,479.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 53.4 | 258.0 | -204.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Helena or Huntsville safer?
Helena is safer with a total crime rate of 507 per 100K vs 2,872 for Huntsville — a 82% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Helena has a violent crime rate of 71.2 per 100K while Huntsville has 483.6. Helena has lower violent crime.
About Helena, AL
Helena, once a bustling railroad town, sits along the Cahaba River in Shelby County. This picturesque community, part of the Birmingham metropolitan area, has experienced significant population growth in recent decades. With a safety score of 92/100 and a population coverage of 22,470, Helena has a total crime rate of 507.3 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.