Is Billings or Rochester Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Billings is safer than Rochester (Safety Score 10/100 vs 9/100), with a total crime rate of 3,832 per 100,000 versus 3,872 for Rochester — 1% lower. Billings has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Billings has a 44% lower rate.
Billings — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Rochester — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Billings, MT
Rochester, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Billings | Rochester | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,832.0 | 3,871.6 | -39.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 748.5 | 582.3 | +166.3 |
| Murder Rate | 7.4 | 13.1 | -5.7 |
| Rape Rate | 78.6 | 18.4 | +60.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 86.0 | 153.3 | -67.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 574.1 | 397.4 | +176.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,083.4 | 3,289.3 | -205.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 364.4 | 404.7 | -40.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,299.7 | 1,795.8 | +503.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 419.3 | 1,088.8 | -669.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Billings or Rochester safer?
Billings is safer with a total crime rate of 3,832 per 100K vs 3,872 for Rochester — a 1% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Billings has a violent crime rate of 748.5 per 100K while Rochester has 582.3. Rochester 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 Rochester, NY
Rochester, NY, a city along Lake Ontario's southern shore, was once the "Flour City" due to its milling industry on the Genesee River. It's home to a diverse population of just over 200,000 residents. With a safety score of 9/100 and a population coverage of 206,093, Rochester has a total crime rate of 3,871.6 per 100,000 residents.