Is Helena or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Helena is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 92/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 507 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 76% 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: San Diego is 61.8x 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
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Helena, AL
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Helena | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 507.3 | 2,082.4 | -1,575.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 71.2 | 412.4 | -341.2 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.5 | -2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 8.9 | 21.4 | -12.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 77.4 | -77.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 62.3 | 310.9 | -248.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 436.1 | 1,670.0 | -1,233.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 53.4 | 187.4 | -134.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 329.3 | 1,087.1 | -757.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 53.4 | 395.5 | -342.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Helena or San Diego safer?
Helena is safer with a total crime rate of 507 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 76% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Helena has a violent crime rate of 71.2 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. 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 San Diego, CA
San Diego, California, a major port city with a significant Hispanic population, sits on the Pacific Ocean just north of the Mexican border. Known for its mild climate and Balboa Park, it's also home to a large naval presence. With a safety score of 38/100 and a population coverage of 1,389,024, San Diego has a total crime rate of 2,082.4 per 100,000 residents.