Is Huntsville or Rainbow City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Rainbow City is safer than Huntsville (Safety Score 74/100 vs 22/100), with a total crime rate of 1,013 per 100,000 versus 2,872 for Huntsville — 65% lower. Huntsville has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Rainbow City has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Huntsville is 22.1x 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
Rainbow City — 2-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Huntsville, AL
Rainbow City, AL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Huntsville | Rainbow City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,871.9 | 1,013.3 | +1,858.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 483.6 | 86.9 | +396.8 |
| Murder Rate | 8.3 | 0.0 | +8.3 |
| Rape Rate | 48.5 | 19.3 | +29.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 53.8 | 0.0 | +53.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 372.6 | 67.6 | +305.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,388.3 | 926.5 | +1,461.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 321.4 | 96.5 | +224.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,808.9 | 762.4 | +1,046.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 258.0 | 67.6 | +190.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Huntsville or Rainbow City safer?
Rainbow City is safer with a total crime rate of 1,013 per 100K vs 2,872 for Huntsville — a 65% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Huntsville has a violent crime rate of 483.6 per 100K while Rainbow City has 86.9. Rainbow City 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 Rainbow City, AL
Rainbow City, Alabama, named for a local legend of a rainbow arcing over the river, sits in Etowah County. This small city, with a population around 10,000, lies on the Coosa River, offering scenic views. With a safety score of 74/100 and a population coverage of 10,362, Rainbow City has a total crime rate of 1,013.3 per 100,000 residents.