Opelika, AL Crime Rate & Safety
Higher crime than 93% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Opelika Safe?
No — crime is noticeably above average
Choosing the right neighborhood is critical for personal safety.
Opelika has a crime rate that is 75% above the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 161.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 161
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
63% higher than national average
Property Crime
1 in 32
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
72% higher than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Opelika Crime Breakdown
Estimated crime rates based on FBI UCR data, calibrated to city-level crime score.
| Crime Type | Index | vs National | Risk Level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | ||||
|
Murder
|
172 | +72% | Moderate | |
|
Assault
|
179 | +79% | Moderate | |
|
Robbery
|
100 | 0% | Average | |
|
Rape
|
176 | +76% | Moderate | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
185 | +85% | Moderate | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
151 | +51% | Moderate | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
169 | +69% | Moderate | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Opelika Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Opelika Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Opelika zip codes.
Opelika Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Opelika, AL?
Opelika, AL has a crime safety grade of D+ as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 75% above the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 161 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 32 chance for property crime. Opelika has higher crime than 93% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Opelika, AL safe to live in?
Opelika has elevated crime levels with a safety grade of D+. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Opelika is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Opelika?
The estimated violent crime rate in Opelika is 621.7 per 100,000 residents, which is 63% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 161 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 8.6 per 100K (72% above average); aggravated assault at 479.8 per 100K (79% above average); robbery at 74.2 per 100K (0% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Opelika?
The estimated property crime rate in Opelika is 3,156.6 per 100,000 residents, which is 72% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 32 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 498.3 per 100K (85% above average); larceny/theft at 2,120.5 per 100K (51% above average); vehicle theft at 537.8 per 100K (69% above average).
How does Opelika crime compare to the national average?
Opelika's overall crime rate is 75% above the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is burglary (85% above average), while robbery is 0% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Opelika has higher crime than 93% of them.
Is Opelika safe to visit?
Visitors to Opelika should be cautious, especially in high-crime neighborhoods. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 72% above average, which is typically the main concern for tourists. Avoid leaving valuables in vehicles, stay aware of your surroundings in unfamiliar areas, and stick to well-traveled neighborhoods.
How does Opelika crime compare to the rest of Alabama?
Alabama as a whole has crime that is 10% above the national average. Opelika's crime rate is 75% above the national average, making it more dangerous than the typical Alabama city.
What type of crime is most common in Opelika?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Opelika, with an estimated rate of 2,120.5 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 51% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (3,157 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (622 per 100K) in Opelika, which is consistent with national trends.