Is Helena or New York City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Helena is safer than New York City (Safety Score 92/100 vs 19/100), with a total crime rate of 507 per 100,000 versus 3,040 for New York City — 83% lower. Helena has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Helena has a 100% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 369.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Helena — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New York City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Helena, AL
New York City, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Helena | New York City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 507.3 | 3,039.7 | -2,532.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 71.2 | 671.4 | -600.2 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 3.9 | -3.9 |
| Rape Rate | 8.9 | 23.4 | -14.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 187.5 | -187.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 62.3 | 456.2 | -393.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 436.1 | 2,368.3 | -1,932.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 53.4 | 154.7 | -101.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 329.3 | 2,015.0 | -1,685.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 53.4 | 198.5 | -145.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Helena or New York City safer?
Helena is safer with a total crime rate of 507 per 100K vs 3,040 for New York City — a 83% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Helena has a violent crime rate of 71.2 per 100K while New York City has 671.4. Helena has lower violent crime.
About Helena, AL
Helena, once a bustling railroad town, sits along the Cahaba River in Shelby County. This picturesque community, part of the Birmingham metropolitan area, has experienced significant population growth in recent decades. With a safety score of 92/100 and a population coverage of 22,470, Helena has a total crime rate of 507.3 per 100,000 residents.
About New York City, NY
New York City, a global financial hub, sits at the mouth of the Hudson River. Home to the iconic Statue of Liberty, its five boroughs house over 8 million people, making it the most populous city in the United States. With a safety score of 19/100 and a population coverage of 8,299,271, New York City has a total crime rate of 3,039.7 per 100,000 residents.