Is Austin or Helena Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Helena is safer than Austin (Safety Score 18/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 3,096 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 17% lower. Austin has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Helena has a 67% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 27.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Austin — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Helena — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Helena, MT
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Helena | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 3,096.1 | +613.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 513.7 | -46.2 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 2.8 | +3.8 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 116.4 | -48.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 28.4 | +57.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 366.1 | -58.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 2,582.4 | +659.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 232.7 | +212.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 2,210.7 | -12.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 139.1 | +459.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Helena safer?
Helena is safer with a total crime rate of 3,096 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 17% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Helena has 513.7. Austin has lower violent crime.
About Austin, TX
Austin, the "Live Music Capital of the World," is a rapidly growing city in Central Texas. Situated on the Colorado River, it's the state capital and home to a diverse population, including many young professionals drawn to its tech industry. With a safety score of 11/100 and a population coverage of 984,613, Austin has a total crime rate of 3,709.4 per 100,000 residents.
About Helena, MT
Helena, Montana's capital, sits in the Prickly Pear Valley surrounded by the eastern front of the Rocky Mountains. Founded during the 1864 gold rush, its population is around 32,000. With a safety score of 18/100 and a population coverage of 35,238, Helena has a total crime rate of 3,096.1 per 100,000 residents.