Is Billings or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Phoenix is safer than Billings (Safety Score 17/100 vs 10/100), with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100,000 versus 3,832 for Billings — 18% lower. Billings has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Billings has a 53% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 13.6x 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
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Billings, MT
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Billings | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,832.0 | 3,125.4 | +706.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 748.5 | 800.0 | -51.5 |
| Murder Rate | 7.4 | 8.4 | -1.0 |
| Rape Rate | 78.6 | 64.3 | +14.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 86.0 | 181.6 | -95.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 574.1 | 545.3 | +28.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,083.4 | 2,325.3 | +758.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 364.4 | 317.2 | +47.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,299.7 | 1,582.1 | +717.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 419.3 | 426.0 | -6.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Billings or Phoenix safer?
Phoenix is safer with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100K vs 3,832 for Billings — a 18% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Billings has a violent crime rate of 748.5 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Billings 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 Phoenix, AZ
Phoenix, Arizona, the "Valley of the Sun," is a sprawling desert metropolis with a rich Native American heritage, including the Hohokam people. It's the fifth-largest city in the United States by population, experiencing rapid growth in recent decades. With a safety score of 17/100 and a population coverage of 1,662,809, Phoenix has a total crime rate of 3,125.4 per 100,000 residents.