Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Montana has a total crime rate of 3,450 per 100,000 residents — 25% above the national average — ranking #36 of 50 US states (safest first), in the higher-crime half. Its safest reporting city is Belgrade.
Limited Data Coverage
Our dataset includes 7 reporting cities covering 400,115 of Montana's 1,132,812 residents (35%). Crime rates shown are based on reporting cities only and may not represent the full state. This is common in states transitioning to the newer NIBRS reporting system.
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Total Crime Rate
Montana Crime Overview
In 2024, Montana reported a total crime rate of 3,449.5 per 100,000 residents — 25% above the national average of 2,752.3. This ranks Montana #36 out of 50 states (safest first).
The most elevated crime category in Montana is rape at 2.0x the national rate.
Compared to the previous year, Montana's crime rate decreased by 12.7%, with violent crime down 7.8%.
Within the state, Belgrade is the safest city (crime rate: 1,494), while Missoula has the highest rate (4,226) — a 2.8x difference that highlights how much safety can vary within a single state.
For residents, travelers, and those considering a move to Montana, these statistics provide a data-driven baseline. Browse the city-level table below to find specific communities, or see how Montana compares to its neighboring states. For the full list of safe and high-crime areas, visit safest cities in Montana or most dangerous cities in Montana.
Crime Breakdown
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 2,307 | 576.6 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 13 | 3.3 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 347 | 86.7 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 189 | 47.2 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 1,753 | 438.1 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 11,495 | 2,872.9 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 1,153 | 288.2 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 9,378 | 2,343.8 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 964 | 240.9 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Understanding Montana's Crime Profile
Of Montana's total crime rate, 16.7% is violent crime and 83.3% is property crime. Nationally, violent crime makes up 17.2% of all crime, meaning Montana has a lower-than-average share of violent offenses.
Montana's murder rate is 3.3 per 100K, which is 48% below the national rate of 6.2. Murder is the least common but most serious violent crime, and even small differences in rate can reflect meaningful differences in public safety.
These statistics are compiled from 7 cities across the state that report to the FBI's UCR program. Coverage varies by state — so these numbers represent the best available estimate, not a perfect census. For details, see our methodology page.
Property crime accounts for the bulk of Montana's total rate at 2,873 per 100K. This includes burglary, larceny-theft (the most common crime nationwide), motor vehicle theft, and arson. While property crime is less immediately dangerous than violent crime, high rates can affect quality of life, insurance costs, and economic investment in affected areas.
Cities in Montana by Crime Rate
Cities ranked from safest to most dangerous (10,000+ residents).
| # | City | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Safety Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Belgrade | 13,184 | 1,494.2 | 341.3 | 56/100 |
| 2 | Bozeman | 58,509 | 2,192.8 | 437.5 | 35/100 |
| 3 | Kalispell | 31,754 | 2,519.4 | 292.9 | 28/100 |
| 4 | Helena | 35,238 | 3,096.1 | 513.7 | 18/100 |
| 5 | Billings | 122,105 | 3,832.0 | 748.5 | 10/100 |
| 6 | Great Falls | 60,414 | 4,000.7 | 574.4 | 8/100 |
| 7 | Missoula | 78,911 | 4,226.3 | 596.9 | 7/100 |
Montana Crime Rate Trends
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 400,115 | 3,449.5 | 576.6 | 2,872.9 |
| 2023 | 395,320 | 3,951.5 | 625.3 | 3,326.2 |
| 2022 | 384,089 | 4,191.7 | 660.8 | 3,531.0 |
| 2021 | 369,903 | 4,298.2 | 708.8 | 3,589.3 |
| 2020 | 355,184 | 4,437.7 | 596.0 | 3,841.7 |
| 2019 | 351,688 | 4,482.4 | 485.7 | 3,996.7 |
Montana Crime Trends: 6-Year Analysis
Over the 6-year period from 2019 to 2024, Montana's total crime rate decreased by 23%, moving from 4,482 to 3,450 per 100,000 residents. This long-term trajectory provides important context beyond any single year's snapshot.
In the most recent year-over-year comparison, Montana's crime rate decreased by 12.7%, with violent crime specifically declining 7.8%. Short-term changes don't always indicate a lasting trend, but consecutive years of movement in the same direction are worth noting.
Many factors can influence year-over-year changes, including shifts in policing strategies, economic conditions, population growth, and changes in how agencies report data to the FBI. For the most reliable picture, focus on the multi-year trend rather than any single year's change.
Montana vs Neighboring States
How does Montana's crime rate compare to its neighbors?
| State | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate | vs Montana |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montana | 3,449.5 | 576.6 | 2,872.9 | — |
| Idaho | 1,248.2 | 271.4 | 976.9 | -63.8% |
| Wyoming | 2,136.2 | 257.6 | 1,878.7 | -38.1% |
| North Dakota | 2,825.4 | 354.0 | 2,471.4 | -18.1% |
| South Dakota | 2,931.1 | 455.0 | 2,476.1 | -15.0% |
Among neighboring states, Idaho has the lowest crime rate (1,248 per 100K). South Dakota has the highest (2,931 per 100K).
Montana in Regional Context
Montana is safer than 0 of its 4 neighboring states based on total crime rate. Nationally, it ranks #36 out of 50 states (ranked safest first), placing it in the higher-crime half of all US states.
Regional comparisons are valuable because neighboring states often share economic conditions, climate, and demographic patterns. If Montana differs significantly from its neighbors, it may point to state-specific factors such as policing policy, drug legislation, or economic programs. Visit individual state pages above for detailed comparisons.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Montana's crime rate?
Montana's total crime rate in 2024 is 3,449.5 per 100,000 residents, which is 25% above the national average of 2,752. This includes both violent crime (576.6 per 100K) and property crime (2,872.9 per 100K).
How safe is Montana compared to other states?
Montana ranks #36 out of 50 states (safest first), placing it in the higher-crime half nationally. Visit our all states page for the complete ranking.
What is the safest city in Montana?
The safest city in Montana is Belgrade with a crime rate of 1,494 per 100,000 residents. View the full list at safest cities in Montana.
More Montana Crime Data
Dive deeper into Montana's crime statistics with our specialized ranking pages, or compare Montana cities against cities in other states using our comparison tool.