Is Billings or Des Moines Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Des Moines is safer than Billings (Safety Score 10/100 vs 10/100), with a total crime rate of 3,831 per 100,000 versus 3,832 for Billings — 0% lower. Billings has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Des Moines has a 42% lower rate.
Billings — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Des Moines — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Billings, MT
Des Moines, IA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Billings | Des Moines | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,832.0 | 3,831.4 | +0.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 748.5 | 704.9 | +43.6 |
| Murder Rate | 7.4 | 4.3 | +3.1 |
| Rape Rate | 78.6 | 51.1 | +27.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 86.0 | 75.0 | +11.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 574.1 | 572.5 | +1.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,083.4 | 3,126.5 | -43.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 364.4 | 462.6 | -98.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,299.7 | 2,142.0 | +157.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 419.3 | 521.9 | -102.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Billings or Des Moines safer?
Des Moines is safer with a total crime rate of 3,831 per 100K vs 3,832 for Billings — a 0% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Billings has a violent crime rate of 748.5 per 100K while Des Moines has 704.9. Des Moines 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 Des Moines, IA
Des Moines, Iowa's capital, sits on the Des Moines River. It's known for its thriving insurance industry and has a growing population, with a median age in the mid-30s. With a safety score of 10/100 and a population coverage of 209,245, Des Moines has a total crime rate of 3,831.4 per 100,000 residents.