Is Huntsville or Opelika Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Huntsville is safer than Opelika (Safety Score 22/100 vs 16/100), with a total crime rate of 2,872 per 100,000 versus 3,185 for Opelika — 10% lower. Huntsville has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
Note: Huntsville is 6.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Huntsville — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Opelika — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Huntsville, AL
Opelika, AL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Huntsville | Opelika | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,871.9 | 3,184.5 | -312.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 483.6 | 560.3 | -76.7 |
| Murder Rate | 8.3 | 8.7 | -0.4 |
| Rape Rate | 48.5 | 49.4 | -0.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 53.8 | 55.2 | -1.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 372.6 | 447.1 | -74.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,388.3 | 2,624.3 | -235.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 321.4 | 206.1 | +115.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,808.9 | 2,217.8 | -408.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 258.0 | 200.3 | +57.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Huntsville or Opelika safer?
Huntsville is safer with a total crime rate of 2,872 per 100K vs 3,185 for Opelika — a 10% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Huntsville has a violent crime rate of 483.6 per 100K while Opelika has 560.3. Huntsville has lower violent crime.
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.
About Opelika, AL
Opelika, a historic railroad town in Lee County, sits near the fall line of the Appalachian foothills. It's home to the Museum of East Alabama, reflecting its deep Southern heritage. With a safety score of 16/100 and a population coverage of 34,448, Opelika has a total crime rate of 3,184.5 per 100,000 residents.