Is Huntsville or Tuscaloosa Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Huntsville is safer than Tuscaloosa (Safety Score 22/100 vs 15/100), with a total crime rate of 2,872 per 100,000 versus 3,285 for Tuscaloosa — 13% lower. Huntsville has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Huntsville has a 47% lower rate.
Note: Huntsville is 2.0x 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
Tuscaloosa — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Huntsville, AL
Tuscaloosa, AL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Huntsville | Tuscaloosa | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,871.9 | 3,284.6 | -412.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 483.6 | 553.4 | -69.8 |
| Murder Rate | 8.3 | 15.8 | -7.5 |
| Rape Rate | 48.5 | 17.6 | +31.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 53.8 | 59.7 | -6.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 372.6 | 460.3 | -87.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,388.3 | 2,731.2 | -342.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 321.4 | 318.9 | +2.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,808.9 | 2,159.3 | -350.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 258.0 | 253.0 | +5.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Huntsville or Tuscaloosa safer?
Huntsville is safer with a total crime rate of 2,872 per 100K vs 3,285 for Tuscaloosa — a 13% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Huntsville has a violent crime rate of 483.6 per 100K while Tuscaloosa has 553.4. 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 Tuscaloosa, AL
Tuscaloosa, home to the University of Alabama, sits on the Black Warrior River in west-central Alabama. Its population is approximately 100,000, with a significant student presence. With a safety score of 15/100 and a population coverage of 113,834, Tuscaloosa has a total crime rate of 3,284.6 per 100,000 residents.