Is Huntsville or Pelham Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Pelham is safer than Huntsville (Safety Score 78/100 vs 22/100), with a total crime rate of 893 per 100,000 versus 2,872 for Huntsville — 69% lower. Huntsville has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Pelham has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Huntsville is 9.0x 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
Pelham — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Huntsville, AL
Pelham, AL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Huntsville | Pelham | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,871.9 | 893.0 | +1,978.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 483.6 | 165.2 | +318.4 |
| Murder Rate | 8.3 | 0.0 | +8.3 |
| Rape Rate | 48.5 | 11.8 | +36.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 53.8 | 11.8 | +42.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 372.6 | 141.6 | +230.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,388.3 | 727.8 | +1,660.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 321.4 | 59.0 | +262.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,808.9 | 601.9 | +1,207.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 258.0 | 66.9 | +191.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Huntsville or Pelham safer?
Pelham is safer with a total crime rate of 893 per 100K vs 2,872 for Huntsville — a 69% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Huntsville has a violent crime rate of 483.6 per 100K while Pelham has 165.2. Pelham 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 Pelham, AL
Pelham, Alabama, a city in Shelby County, is home to Oak Mountain State Park, Alabama's largest state park. The city's growth was significantly influenced by the development of Interstate 65, attracting residents and businesses. With a safety score of 78/100 and a population coverage of 25,419, Pelham has a total crime rate of 893.0 per 100,000 residents.