Helena, MT Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 89% of major U.S. cities
Safety varies across 12+ neighborhoods — Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated March 2026
Is Helena Safe?
Helena has a crime rate that is 48% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 460.
However, safety varies dramatically by neighborhood. Areas like North West earn an A+ safety grade, while Lower East Side rates A. Understanding which neighborhoods are safe is critical for anyone living in, moving to, or visiting Helena.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 460
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
43% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 74
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
27% lower than national average
Helena Crime Breakdown
Estimated crime rates based on FBI UCR data, calibrated to city-level crime score.
| Crime Type | Index | vs National | Risk Level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | ||||
|
Murder
|
59 | -41% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
58 | -42% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
54 | -46% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
55 | -45% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
54 | -46% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
70 | -30% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
69 | -31% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Helena Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
Where Is It Safe in Helena?
Safety varies dramatically across Helena's 12+ neighborhoods.
Safest Neighborhoods
Top 10Areas with Higher Crime
Bottom 10Neighborhood Safety Distribution
Out of 12 neighborhoods in Helena
All Helena Neighborhoods
| # | Neighborhood | Grade | Crime Index |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North West | A+ | 53 |
| 2 | West Valley | A+ | 89 |
| 3 | East Valley | A+ | 95 |
| 4 | Gulches | A+ | 77 |
| 5 | Upper West Side | A+ | 73 |
| 6 | Upper East Side | A+ | 84 |
| 7 | North Central | A | 98 |
| 8 | South East Helena | A | 104 |
| 9 | Lower West Side | A | 134 |
| 10 | North East | A | 155 |
| 11 | South Central | A | 153 |
| 12 | Lower East Side | A | 155 |
Helena Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Helena zip codes.
Helena Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Helena, MT?
Helena, MT has a crime safety grade of A- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 48% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 460 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 74 chance for property crime. Helena has lower crime than 89% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Helena, MT safe to live in?
Helena is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of A-. Approximately 100% of the city's 12 neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. For example, North West is one of the safest areas, while Lower East Side has higher crime rates. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Helena is strongly recommended.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Helena?
Based on 2026 crime data, the safest neighborhoods in Helena are North West, West Valley, East Valley, Gulches, and Upper West Side. These areas have significantly lower crime rates than the city average and are popular choices for families, professionals, and anyone prioritizing safety.
What are the most dangerous areas in Helena?
The neighborhoods with the highest crime rates in Helena include Lower East Side, South Central, North East, Lower West Side, and North Central. These areas experience significantly more crime than the city average. Visitors and prospective residents should exercise extra caution in these neighborhoods, particularly at night.
What is the violent crime rate in Helena?
The estimated violent crime rate in Helena is 217.4 per 100,000 residents, which is 43% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 460 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 2.9 per 100K (41% below average); aggravated assault at 156.1 per 100K (42% below average); robbery at 39.8 per 100K (46% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Helena?
The estimated property crime rate in Helena is 1,345.3 per 100,000 residents, which is 27% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 74 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 146.6 per 100K (46% below average); larceny/theft at 979.1 per 100K (30% below average); vehicle theft at 219.6 per 100K (31% below average).
How does Helena crime compare to the national average?
Helena's overall crime rate is 48% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (30% below average), while robbery is 46% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Helena has lower crime than 89% of them.
Is Helena safe to visit?
Helena is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 27% below average, which is typically the main concern for tourists. Avoid leaving valuables in vehicles, stay aware of your surroundings in unfamiliar areas, and stick to well-traveled neighborhoods. Popular, safer areas for visitors include North West, West Valley, East Valley.
How does Helena crime compare to the rest of Montana?
Montana as a whole has crime that is 23% above the national average. Helena's crime rate is 48% below the national average, making it safer the typical Montana city.
What type of crime is most common in Helena?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Helena, with an estimated rate of 979.1 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 30% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,345 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (217 per 100K) in Helena, which is consistent with national trends.