Is Helena or San Luis Obispo Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Luis Obispo is safer than Helena (Safety Score 18/100 vs 18/100), with a total crime rate of 3,093 per 100,000 versus 3,096 for Helena — 0% lower. 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 — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Luis Obispo — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Helena, MT
San Luis Obispo, CA
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.
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 Luis Obispo, CA
Nestled in California's Central Coast, San Luis Obispo is home to Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, founded in 1772. This city of roughly 47,000 residents boasts a vibrant downtown and is surrounded by rolling hills. With a safety score of 18/100 and a population coverage of 49,948, San Luis Obispo has a total crime rate of 3,093.2 per 100,000 residents.