Is Billings or Bozeman Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Bozeman is safer than Billings (Safety Score 35/100 vs 10/100), with a total crime rate of 2,193 per 100,000 versus 3,832 for Billings — 43% lower. Billings has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Bozeman has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Billings is 2.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Billings — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bozeman — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Billings, MT
Bozeman, MT
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Billings | Bozeman | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,832.0 | 2,192.8 | +1,639.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 748.5 | 437.5 | +311.0 |
| Murder Rate | 7.4 | 0.0 | +7.4 |
| Rape Rate | 78.6 | 85.5 | -6.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 86.0 | 12.0 | +74.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 574.1 | 336.7 | +237.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,083.4 | 1,755.3 | +1,328.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 364.4 | 143.6 | +220.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,299.7 | 1,514.3 | +785.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 419.3 | 97.4 | +321.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Billings or Bozeman safer?
Bozeman is safer with a total crime rate of 2,193 per 100K vs 3,832 for Billings — a 43% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Billings has a violent crime rate of 748.5 per 100K while Bozeman has 437.5. Bozeman has lower violent crime.
About Billings, MT
Billings, Montana's largest city, sits on the Yellowstone River, a hub for the region's agricultural and energy industries. Founded as a railroad town, its history is deeply tied to westward expansion. The city is a growing metropolitan area with a diverse economy. With a safety score of 10/100 and a population coverage of 122,105, Billings has a total crime rate of 3,832.0 per 100,000 residents.
About Bozeman, MT
Bozeman, Montana, once a bustling railroad town, sits in a valley surrounded by mountains, home to Montana State University. Its population has steadily increased, drawing new residents to its outdoor recreation and historic Main Street. With a safety score of 35/100 and a population coverage of 58,509, Bozeman has a total crime rate of 2,192.8 per 100,000 residents.