Safest Cities in Alabama (AL) in 2025: Crime rates and more

Alabama's population may be just over 5.1 million, but this land is full of history and community. From the soulful sidewalks in Birmingham to the capital, Montgomery, serving as the backdrop, Alabama is an iconic state in American history and especially during the Civil Rights Movement. I will introduce the many abolition landmarks Alabama has to offer, such as the 16th Street Baptist Church, Martin Luther King Jr's church, Rosa Parks Museum, plus many other extraordinary markers of courage, strength, and Justice!

Alabama's per capita income ($34,835) and median household income ($62,027) are both slightly lower than the national averages, but there is something irreplaceable in Alabama - a slower pace of life, a reduced cost of living, and communities that continue to care for one another. 

So, if you're looking for the safest places to live in Alabama in 2025, you're in the right place. We've run all the numbers, tracked the crime stats, and tapped the locals to highlight the cities where safety, Southern hospitality, and quality of life work together. 

Let's jump in, guys!

Alabama Annual Crimes

Top 9 Safest Cities in Alabama for 2025

Here’s the moment you’ve been waiting for: the top 9 safest cities in Alabama for 2025, based on crime data and community vibes. College students, families, and retirees are all attracted to the safest cities in Alabama due to their consistently low crime rates and high community engagement.

1. Rainsville: Alabama’s Safest Haven

Crime Rate: 174 per 100,000 (94% lower than state average)

If you’re looking for a town where peace isn’t just a bonus—it’s a way of life—Rainsville might just be your perfect match. Tucked away in northeast Alabama, this small city isn’t just scenic, it’s one of the safest cities in Alabama going into 2025.

With a population of around 5,248, Rainsville has the kind of close-knit feel where neighbors still wave, kids ride their bikes without worry, and the sense of community is alive and well.

Rainsville’s crime rates are not just low—they’re impressively low. Here’s how it stacks up:

That means your chances of being a victim of violent crime in Rainsville are 1 in 2,884. Compare that to the national average of 1 in 248, and it's clear—this is a place where people feel secure.

2. Southside: A Coosa River Gem

Looking for one of the safest neighborhoods in Alabama? Southside should be at the top of your list. With a Total Crime Index of 81, this charming suburb is safer than 81% of U.S. cities, making it a top contender for families, retirees, and anyone prioritizing peace of mind.

1. Low violent crime rate: Southside is a calm, safe place to live. With fewer than one violent crime for every 1,000 residents, there is little threat to your safety.

2. Low property crime: Property crime is low relative to national averages, which further improves Southside's reputation as a place to live safely in Alabama.

If you are planning a home search to relocate, then knowing the safest cities in Alabama to consider will help you narrow the choices.

3. Helena, Alabama

The Helena crime rates are 71.9% lower than the national average. 

Helena's crime score is 654. The national average is 2324. Helena is among the safest places to live in the United States. The crime rate reflects every violent crime and property crime occurring per 100,000 people.

Helena stands out as one of the safest cities in America, with an incredibly low rate of only 95 violent incidents for every 100,000 people. A great testament to Helena's safety, this record has not gone unnoticed by those interested in residing in a welcoming and safe community.

While crime rates can fluctuate, these consistently ranked safest cities in Alabama prove that safety and Southern charm can go hand in hand.

4. Tuscumbia, Alabama

Tuscumbia, in the Muscle Shoals area, blends history with safety. Known as the birthplace of Helen Keller. OMG, right!

Tuscumbia has a crime rate of 308, which is substantially lower than the national average of 2324. This means that Tuscumbia is one of the safest places to live in the USA. Crime rates display the total number of violent and property crimes per 100,000 people.

5. Vestavia Hills, Alabama

Vestavia Hills is an incredibly desirable suburb, located directly adjacent to Birmingham, with great schools and an affluent feel. With a Total Crime Index of 47, Vestavia Hills is safer than nearly half of U.S. cities, and is certainly a safe place to live in and commute from for families looking for a neighborhood with a community feel, who need to get places. 

While property crime is higher than average, violent crime is very low, and overall, both property and violent crime contribute to a feeling of safety.

Overall, Vestavia Hills' crime rate is 65.3% below the national rate. For the statistics, they reported 30 violent crimes, which is 78 per 100,000 of the population, and 78.9% lower than the national average.

Vestavia Hills also reported 281 property crimes, or 730 per 100,000 of the population, and 62.7% less than the national average.

If you are concerned about crime, Vestavia Hills has one of the lowest violent crime rates in the United States.

6. Mountain Brook, Alabama

The crime rates in Mountain Brook are 58.4% lower than the national rate. There are two classes of crime: violent crime and property crime. Violent crime consists of murder, rape, robbery and assault. Property crime consists of burglary, theft, and vehicular theft. 

Mountain Brook, located 17 minutes' drive away from Meadowbrook, has one of the lowest violent crime rates of all communities within the United States, with Mountain Brook reporting 27 violent crime incidents per 100,000 people. It certainly sits amongst the safest cities in the United States, making it an advantageous opportunity for anyone exploring new places to live.

Such a feat not only provides a significant sense of safety and security to its residents but it also serves as a target for other communities to aim for as they attempt to create a safe environment for their constituents. 

More importantly, it helps to establish the area as a community that values safety as a top priority, thereby promoting the area as a desirable place to reside and flourish.

7. Daphne, Alabama

Daphne, located along Alabama's Gulf Coast, gives its residents the family-oriented, calm lifestyle that local government officials strive to help maintain, along with the low crime levels it enjoys. 

Daphne has a Total Crime Index of 37, which means that it's safer than 37% of all cities nationwide. Its violent crime index is low at only 0.49 for every 1,000 residents, and it has had property crimes recently at higher rates, but still manageable.

Daphne is a beautiful place to live with everything it has to offer, including safety, great schools, pristine surroundings, and so near to the coast. Daphne is an excellent choice for those who want to enjoy life in the suburbs but don't want to give up that coastal feel.

8. Rainbow City, Alabama

Rainbow City, AL has a lower overall crime rate (22.39 crimes per 1000 people) than the national average (33.37 crimes per 1000 people), and both violent and property crimes were lower than the national figures as well. Comments about the locals showed safety concerns about speeding on Riddles Bend Road, but despite those comments, people considered Rainbow City a safe place to reside.

Rainbow City shines as one of the safest cities in the United States. At a remarkably low rate of 108 violent incidents per 100,000 residents, Rainbow City has achieved an astounding safety record, making it an attractive option for many residents who desire a safe and friendly community in which to live.

9. Glencoe, Alabama

According to the latest statistics, the crime rate in Glencoe is 76.9% lower than the national average. Glencoe has 4 violent crimes, or 74 per 100,000 people, which is 80% lower than the national average. Glencoe has 25 property crimes, or 462 per 100,000 people, which is 76.3% lower than the average. 

Glencoe ranks in the 50th percentile for safety, meaning it is safer than 50% of cities but less safe than 50%

Glencoe has an astonishingly low crime rate, with an overall crime rate of only 536, compared to the national average of 2324. This vast difference indicates that Glencoe is among the safest residential places in the entire United States. The total crime rate is the total amount of violent and property crimes per 100,000 people, and is an excellent measure of the safety of a place and suitability for living.

Our list of the safest cities in Alabama for 2025 isn’t just based on numbers — it reflects real community vibes, local policing, and resident satisfaction. These cities not only have friendly neighborhoods and low crime, but they also happen to be some of the best places to live in Alabama.

It’s no surprise that many of the safest towns also rank among the best cities to live in Alabama for quality of life and affordability.