Is Billings or Kalispell Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Kalispell is safer than Billings (Safety Score 28/100 vs 10/100), with a total crime rate of 2,519 per 100,000 versus 3,832 for Billings — 34% lower. Billings has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Kalispell has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Billings is 3.8x 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
Kalispell — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Billings, MT
Kalispell, MT
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Billings | Kalispell | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,832.0 | 2,519.4 | +1,312.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 748.5 | 292.9 | +455.7 |
| Murder Rate | 7.4 | 0.0 | +7.4 |
| Rape Rate | 78.6 | 44.1 | +34.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 86.0 | 6.3 | +79.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 574.1 | 242.5 | +331.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,083.4 | 2,226.5 | +856.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 364.4 | 126.0 | +238.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,299.7 | 1,971.4 | +328.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 419.3 | 129.1 | +290.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Billings or Kalispell safer?
Kalispell is safer with a total crime rate of 2,519 per 100K vs 3,832 for Billings — a 34% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Billings has a violent crime rate of 748.5 per 100K while Kalispell has 292.9. Kalispell 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 Kalispell, MT
Nestled in the Flathead Valley, Kalispell serves as a gateway to Glacier National Park. This city, named for a Salish term meaning "flat land above," is home to over 25,000 residents and is a regional hub for healthcare and commerce. With a safety score of 28/100 and a population coverage of 31,754, Kalispell has a total crime rate of 2,519.4 per 100,000 residents.