Is Helena or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Helena (Safety Score 38/100 vs 18/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 3,096 for Helena — 33% lower. Helena has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Helena has a 63% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 39.4x 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
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Helena, MT
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Helena | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,096.1 | 2,082.4 | +1,013.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 513.7 | 412.4 | +101.3 |
| Murder Rate | 2.8 | 2.5 | +0.3 |
| Rape Rate | 116.4 | 21.4 | +95.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 28.4 | 77.4 | -49.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 366.1 | 310.9 | +55.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,582.4 | 1,670.0 | +912.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 232.7 | 187.4 | +45.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,210.7 | 1,087.1 | +1,123.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 139.1 | 395.5 | -256.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Helena or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 3,096 for Helena — a 33% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Helena has a violent crime rate of 513.7 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. San Diego 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 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.