Is Billings or Great Falls Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Billings is safer than Great Falls (Safety Score 10/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 3,832 per 100,000 versus 4,001 for Great Falls — 4% lower. Billings has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Great Falls has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Billings is 2.0x 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
Great Falls — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Billings, MT
Great Falls, MT
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Billings | Great Falls | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,832.0 | 4,000.7 | -168.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 748.5 | 574.4 | +174.2 |
| Murder Rate | 7.4 | 0.0 | +7.4 |
| Rape Rate | 78.6 | 89.4 | -10.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 86.0 | 46.4 | +39.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 574.1 | 438.6 | +135.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,083.4 | 3,426.4 | -343.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 364.4 | 397.3 | -32.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,299.7 | 2,810.6 | -511.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 419.3 | 218.5 | +200.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Billings or Great Falls safer?
Billings is safer with a total crime rate of 3,832 per 100K vs 4,001 for Great Falls — a 4% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Billings has a violent crime rate of 748.5 per 100K while Great Falls has 574.4. Great Falls 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 Great Falls, MT
Great Falls, Montana, a city bisected by the Missouri River, holds the only remaining intact Black Eagle Dam, a marvel of early hydroelectric engineering. This community, the third largest in Montana, is known for its proximity to Malmstrom Air Force Base. With a safety score of 8/100 and a population coverage of 60,414, Great Falls has a total crime rate of 4,000.7 per 100,000 residents.