Is Owensboro or Tuscaloosa Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Owensboro is safer than Tuscaloosa (Safety Score 15/100 vs 15/100), with a total crime rate of 3,266 per 100,000 versus 3,285 for Tuscaloosa — 1% lower. Owensboro has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Owensboro has a 90% lower rate.
Owensboro — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Tuscaloosa — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Owensboro, KY
Tuscaloosa, AL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Owensboro | Tuscaloosa | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,266.4 | 3,284.6 | -18.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 349.4 | 553.4 | -204.0 |
| Murder Rate | 1.7 | 15.8 | -14.2 |
| Rape Rate | 78.2 | 17.6 | +60.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 44.9 | 59.7 | -14.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 224.6 | 460.3 | -235.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,917.0 | 2,731.2 | +185.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 337.8 | 318.9 | +18.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,258.1 | 2,159.3 | +98.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 321.2 | 253.0 | +68.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Owensboro or Tuscaloosa safer?
Owensboro is safer with a total crime rate of 3,266 per 100K vs 3,285 for Tuscaloosa — a 1% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Owensboro has a violent crime rate of 349.4 per 100K while Tuscaloosa has 553.4. Owensboro has lower violent crime.
About Owensboro, KY
Owensboro, Kentucky, known for its International Bluegrass Music Museum, sits on the Ohio River. This Daviess County seat is the fourth-largest city by population in the state. With a safety score of 15/100 and a population coverage of 60,096, Owensboro has a total crime rate of 3,266.4 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.