Is Great Falls or Helena Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Helena is safer than Great Falls (Safety Score 18/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 3,096 per 100,000 versus 4,001 for Great Falls — 23% lower. Great Falls has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Great Falls has a 100% lower rate.
Great Falls — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Helena — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Great Falls, MT
Helena, MT
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Great Falls | Helena | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,000.7 | 3,096.1 | +904.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 574.4 | 513.7 | +60.7 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.8 | -2.8 |
| Rape Rate | 89.4 | 116.4 | -27.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 46.4 | 28.4 | +18.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 438.6 | 366.1 | +72.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,426.4 | 2,582.4 | +843.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 397.3 | 232.7 | +164.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,810.6 | 2,210.7 | +599.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 218.5 | 139.1 | +79.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Great Falls or Helena safer?
Helena is safer with a total crime rate of 3,096 per 100K vs 4,001 for Great Falls — a 23% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Great Falls has a violent crime rate of 574.4 per 100K while Helena has 513.7. Helena has lower violent crime.
About Great Falls, MT
Great Falls, Montana, a city bisected by the Missouri River, holds the only remaining intact Black Eagle Dam, a marvel of early hydroelectric engineering. This community, the third largest in Montana, is known for its proximity to Malmstrom Air Force Base. With a safety score of 8/100 and a population coverage of 60,414, Great Falls has a total crime rate of 4,000.7 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.