Is Billings or Helena Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Helena is safer than Billings (Safety Score 18/100 vs 10/100), with a total crime rate of 3,096 per 100,000 versus 3,832 for Billings — 19% lower. Billings has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Helena has a 67% lower rate.
Note: Billings is 3.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Billings — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Helena — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Billings, MT
Helena, MT
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Billings | Helena | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,832.0 | 3,096.1 | +735.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 748.5 | 513.7 | +234.9 |
| Murder Rate | 7.4 | 2.8 | +4.5 |
| Rape Rate | 78.6 | 116.4 | -37.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 86.0 | 28.4 | +57.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 574.1 | 366.1 | +208.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,083.4 | 2,582.4 | +501.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 364.4 | 232.7 | +131.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,299.7 | 2,210.7 | +89.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 419.3 | 139.1 | +280.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Billings or Helena safer?
Helena is safer with a total crime rate of 3,096 per 100K vs 3,832 for Billings — a 19% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Billings has a violent crime rate of 748.5 per 100K while Helena has 513.7. Helena has lower violent crime.
About Billings, MT
Billings, Montana's largest city, sits on the Yellowstone River, a hub for the region's agricultural and energy industries. Founded as a railroad town, its history is deeply tied to westward expansion. The city is a growing metropolitan area with a diverse economy. With a safety score of 10/100 and a population coverage of 122,105, Billings has a total crime rate of 3,832.0 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.