Violent
Property
Total
Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Missoula, MT has a Safety Score of 7/100 — higher crime than 93% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 4,226.3 per 100,000 residents, ranking #2,755 of 2,971 US cities and #7 of 7 in Montana.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Missoula, Montana Safe?
Missoula, a vibrant university town in western Montana, is nestled in the Rocky Mountains at the confluence of three rivers. Home to the University of Montana, it boasts a youthful population and a strong appreciation for outdoor recreation and arts.
Missoula has a safety score of 7/100 (High Crime). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 4,226.3 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Missoula ranks #7 out of 7 cities in Montana and #2755 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 7th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 93% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Missoula is rape, at 106.5 per 100K — 2.5x the national average. Conversely, murder is relatively low at just 0.4x the national rate.
Year over year, Missoula's total crime rate decreased by 0.6%, with violent crime rising 8.9%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Missoula Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 471 | 596.9 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 2 | 2.5 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 84 | 106.5 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 36 | 45.6 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 349 | 442.3 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 2,864 | 3,629.4 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 255 | 323.2 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 2,453 | 3,108.6 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 156 | 197.7 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Missoula vs Montana Average
How does Missoula's crime rate compare to the Montana state average?
| Metric | Missoula | Montana Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 596.9 | 576.6 | +3.5% |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,629.4 | 2,872.9 | +26.3% |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 3.3 | -22.2% |
| Total Crime Rate | 4,226.3 | 3,449.5 | +22.5% |
Missoula Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Missoula, Montana.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 78,911 | 4,226.3 | 596.9 | 3,629.4 |
| 2023 | 78,269 | 4,252.0 | 548.1 | 3,703.9 |
| 2022 | 75,705 | 4,190.0 | 636.7 | 3,553.3 |
| 2021 | 77,852 | 3,902.3 | 646.1 | 3,256.2 |
| 2020 | 76,468 | 4,153.4 | 527.0 | 3,626.4 |
| 2019 | 75,422 | 4,498.7 | 412.4 | 4,086.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Missoula, Montana safe?
Missoula has a safety score of 7/100, meaning it has less crime than about 7% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 4,226.3 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Missoula is among the highest-crime US cities.
What is the crime rate in Missoula, Montana?
According to FBI data for 2024, Missoula has a violent crime rate of 596.9 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 3,629.4 per 100,000 residents.
How does Missoula compare to the national average?
Missoula's total crime rate of 4,226.3 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 78,911 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Missoula?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Missoula include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Missoula safe to visit?
Like any city, Missoula has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 7/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.