Is Helena or Los Angeles Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Los Angeles is safer than Helena (Safety Score 35/100 vs 18/100), with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100,000 versus 3,096 for Helena — 29% lower. Helena has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Helena has a 86% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 107.7x 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
Los Angeles — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Helena, MT
Los Angeles, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Helena | Los Angeles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,096.1 | 2,212.5 | +883.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 513.7 | 728.5 | -214.9 |
| Murder Rate | 2.8 | 7.0 | -4.1 |
| Rape Rate | 116.4 | 40.3 | +76.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 28.4 | 209.9 | -181.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 366.1 | 471.4 | -105.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,582.4 | 1,483.9 | +1,098.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 232.7 | 372.8 | -140.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,210.7 | 851.5 | +1,359.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 139.1 | 259.6 | -120.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Helena or Los Angeles safer?
Los Angeles is safer with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100K vs 3,096 for Helena — a 29% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Helena has a violent crime rate of 513.7 per 100K while Los Angeles has 728.5. 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 Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles, a sprawling Southern California metropolis, is a major Pacific Rim gateway, home to Hollywood's film industry. Its diverse population of nearly 4 million people resides across a vast urban landscape bordered by mountains and the Pacific Ocean. With a safety score of 35/100 and a population coverage of 3,796,352, Los Angeles has a total crime rate of 2,212.5 per 100,000 residents.