Helena vs San Luis Obispo Crime Comparison
Is Helena or San Luis Obispo Safer?
San Luis Obispo is the safer city, with a total crime rate 0% lower than Helena based on 2024 FBI data. Helena has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Luis Obispo has a 100% lower rate.
Helena, MT
Safety Score
43/100
Population
35,238
Total Crime Rate
3,096.1
Category Wins
4/7
San Luis Obispo, CA
Safety Score
43/100
Population
49,948
Total Crime Rate
3,093.2
Category Wins
3/7
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Helena | San Luis Obispo | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,096.1 | 3,093.2 | +2.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 513.7 | 424.4 | +89.2 |
| Murder Rate | 2.8 | 0.0 | +2.8 |
| Rape Rate | 116.4 | 60.1 | +56.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 28.4 | 82.1 | -53.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 366.1 | 282.3 | +83.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,582.4 | 2,668.8 | -86.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 232.7 | 322.3 | -89.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,210.7 | 2,196.3 | +14.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 139.1 | 150.2 | -11.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Helena or San Luis Obispo safer?
San Luis Obispo is safer with a total crime rate of 3,093 per 100K vs 3,096 for Helena — a 0% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Helena has a violent crime rate of 513.7 per 100K while San Luis Obispo has 424.4. San Luis Obispo has lower violent crime.