Is Helena or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Helena is safer than Houston (Safety Score 18/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 3,096 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 43% lower. Helena has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Helena has a 90% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 65.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Helena — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Helena, MT
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Helena | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,096.1 | 5,441.7 | -2,345.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 513.7 | 1,148.3 | -634.6 |
| Murder Rate | 2.8 | 13.8 | -11.0 |
| Rape Rate | 116.4 | 73.0 | +43.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 28.4 | 274.0 | -245.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 366.1 | 787.4 | -421.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,582.4 | 4,293.5 | -1,711.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 232.7 | 644.8 | -412.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,210.7 | 2,945.7 | -735.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 139.1 | 703.0 | -564.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Helena or Houston safer?
Helena is safer with a total crime rate of 3,096 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 43% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Helena has a violent crime rate of 513.7 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Helena has lower violent crime.
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.
About Houston, TX
Houston, the "Space City," is a sprawling metropolis in Southeast Texas, home to NASA's Johnson Space Center. Its diverse population makes it one of the most multicultural cities in the U.S., with significant Hispanic and Asian communities. With a safety score of 3/100 and a population coverage of 2,319,160, Houston has a total crime rate of 5,441.7 per 100,000 residents.