The 10 Safest Cities In Montana For 2024

The safest cities in Montana are Colstrip and Dillon for 2024 using Saturday Night Science.

If you want the safest neighborhoods, schools, parks, and overall communities, look no further than the safest places to live in Montana. Big Sky Country has some of the safest places to live in America.

And, folks, it's your lucky day. HomeSnacks is here to give you the ultimate guide. We've broken down the safest places in Montana for 2024, and the top ten list is below.

How did we determine Montana's safest places? We consulted the most recent FBI data on places in Montana with more than 2,000 residents. We looked at two critical factors in violent and property crime per capita. We ended up with 32 places you could call home in Montana. This is our tenth time ranking Montana's safest cities, so trust us when we say we know what we're talking about.

Whether you're looking for that "how the West was won" vibe that Billings offers, or that middle of nowhere Montana scene like Great Falls, or just a great ski town like Bozeman, Montana has something great and safe for everyone.

Continue to see a list of Montana's safest places. You won't be disappointed.


Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Table

Here are the 10 safest cities to live in Montana for 2024:

  1. Colstrip (Homes For Sale)
  2. Dillon (Homes For Sale)
  3. Red Lodge (Homes For Sale)
  4. Manhattan (Homes For Sale)
  5. Lewistown (Homes For Sale)
  6. Hamilton (Homes For Sale)
  7. Glendive (Homes For Sale)
  8. East Helena (Homes For Sale)
  9. Miles City (Homes For Sale)
  10. Hardin (Homes For Sale)
Safest Cities In Montana Map

So, what is the number one safest place in Montana? The safest place in Montana is Colstrip.

If you want to see how Montana's other amazing, safe places faired, take a look at the list below. And if you don't see your favorite there, head to the bottom.

For more reading on safe places to live in and around Montana, check out:

The 10 Safest Cities In Montana For 2024

1. Colstrip
Colstrip, MT
Source: Public domain

Population: 2,009
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 99 (third safest)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 49 (second safest)
Murders: 0
Murders Per 100k: 0
More on Colstrip: Crime | Real Estate

Overall SnackAbility
8.5
/10

Colstrip is no stranger to the Homesnacks spotlight; we've already named it the second best and fourth most affordable place to live in Montana for 2019. Being #1 in safety is just one more reason Colstrip is a superstar city.

Colstrip averaged just one property crime per month and one violent crime every three months, so your chances of getting into trouble with criminals is basically nil. In fact, the 1 in 2,009 chance residents face of being the victim of a property crime is nearly five times lower than the national average. Colstrip also has a ton of great parks, making it a great city for families.

Dillon, MT
Source: Public domain

Population: 4,075
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 245 (fifth safest)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 711 (sixth safest)
Murders: 0
Murders Per 100k: 0
More on Dillon: Data | Crime | Real Estate

Overall SnackAbility
6
/10

Dillon is the second safest place to live in Montana, but it does have a sort of spooky aspect to it. Why?

Well, Bannack State Park is a historical ghost down, with over 60 original structures built as early as the 1860's during the gold rush. Luckily, any ghostly gold-diggers that might be hanging around evidently found enough nuggets that they don't need to steal these days; Dillon had the sixth safest rate of property crime in Montana.

3. Red Lodge
Red Lodge, MT
Source: Public domain

Population: 2,384
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 335 (11th safest)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 503 (third safest)
Murders: 0
Murders Per 100k: 0
More on Red Lodge: Crime | Real Estate

Overall SnackAbility
8.5
/10

Red Lodge ranks as the third safest place to live in Montana for 2024.

Crime can be an issue for places that are tucked away but not for Red Lodge. This mountain town seems to strictly attract the best types of people, which probably explains why it only had 8 violent crimes reported in 2022.

The citizens and visitors of Red Lodge obviously have a deep respect for the boundaries of others, their property included. After a day of cross-country skiing along the Silver Run National Recreation Trail, you can hit the hay here with confidence. Since only 2 burglaries were reported in 2022, it is safe to assume you will wake up to find everything right where you left it.

4. Manhattan
Manhattan, MT
Source: Flickr User Tim Evanson | CC BY-SA 2.0

Population: 2,154
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 92 (second safest)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 1,392 (14th safest)
Murders: 0
Murders Per 100k: 0
More on Manhattan: Real Estate

Overall SnackAbility
6
/10

Manhattan, situated in Gallatin County, Montana, with a modest population of 2,154, is distinguished for its exceptional safety record. The town had 0 murders and only 2 violent crime incidents, leading it to be the second safest lowest for violent crime. Property crime is relatively infrequent, positioning Manhattan as the 14th safest community regarding property incidents, having reported only 30 occurrences.

Manhattan renamed itself to honor its thriving barley industry. Despite its limited size of less than 2 square miles, Manhattan upholds a tight-knit community and a very low crime per capita rate of 1,485/100k people.

Lewistown, MT
Source: Wikipedia User | CC BY-SA 2.0

Population: 6,135
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 407 (16th safest)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 48 (safest)
Murders: 0
Murders Per 100k: 0
More on Lewistown: Data | Crime | Real Estate

Overall SnackAbility
5
/10

Lewistown, positioned in the heart of Montana, is a historical and secure city. Its strategic location near Great Falls and Billings, coupled with a population that exudes small-town allure, leads to an overall ranking as the fifth safest place in the state. Lewistown has flourished thanks to being a railway hub, which has shaped its community and safety profile.

The city boasts an impressive #2 total crime rank, marking it as one of Montana's safest locations. With 0 occurrences of murder, very low violent crime rates, and minimal property crime, Lewistown is a desirable place to live in Fergus County.

Hamilton, MT
Source: Wikipedia User Itsa Ortiz | CC BY 2.0

Population: 5,138
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 136 (fourth safest)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 1,342 (13th safest)
Murders: 0
Murders Per 100k: 0
More on Hamilton: Data | Crime | Real Estate

Overall SnackAbility
6
/10

Hamilton, located in Ravalli County, Montana, ranks as the sixth safest city in Montana as of 2024. Established by Marcus Daly, its low population of 5,138 enjoys minimal crime rates, with a violent crime rate of 136/100k people. The city's law enforcement effectiveness is evident through its fourth safest position in violent crime rankings, addressing offenses such as rape and aggravated assault. It stands as the 13th safest for property crimes.

Glendive, MT
Source: Wikipedia User Larry D. Moore | CC BY-SA 3.0

Population: 4,860
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 349 (12th safest)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 699 (fifth safest)
Murders: 0
Murders Per 100k: 0
More on Glendive: Data | Crime | Real Estate

Overall SnackAbility
8.5
/10

Don't let the rugged terrain fool you; Glendive's motto is "good people surrounded by Badlands," and boy do residents live up to it. Glendive had the fifth safest rate of property and 12th safest rate of violent crime in Montana. The 1 in 285 chance Glendive residents face of being the victim of a violent crime is well below the national average. Safety is great and all, but Glendive also has natural beauty going for it. The city is home to Makoshika State Park, where you can see badland formations and dinosaur fossils.

Unfortunately, this is the second time Glendive has earned the silver instead of the gold medal on one our lists; we named the city the second best place to raise a family in Montana.

8. East Helena
East Helena, MT
Source: Wikipedia User 5of7 | CC BY-SA 2.0

Population: 2,140
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 46 (safest)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 1,542 (17th safest)
Murders: 0
Murders Per 100k: 0
More on East Helena: Crime | Real Estate

Overall SnackAbility
8
/10

East Helena, located in Lewis and Clark County of Montana, is the eighth safest city in Montana,. With a small population of just over 2,140 and negligible crime rates, the city, with roots dating back to Montana's gold rush era, reports virtually no violent crime. Property crimes are also scarce, with only 3 burglaries recorded.

East Helena's low crime figures affirm its position as the safest for violent crimes and 17th safest for property crimes across the Treasure State.

Miles City, MT
Source: Wikipedia User Larry D. Moore | CC BY-SA 3.0

Population: 8,437
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 367 (15th safest)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 651 (fourth safest)
Murders: 0
Murders Per 100k: 0
More on Miles City: Data | Crime | Real Estate

Overall SnackAbility
8
/10

Located in the southeastern part of the state in Custer County, Miles City is the ninth safest city in Montana. Miles City residents had about a 1 in 272 chance of being the victim of a violent crime, which is about half as much as the national average. The property crime rate in Miles City is also the fourth safest in Montana. Miles City is home to Pirogue Island State Park, an island on the Yellowstone River that'll make fishers and bird-watchers alike happy for hours.

Hardin, MT
Source: Wikipedia User Coemgenus at English Wikipedia | GFDL

Population: 3,656
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 300 (tenth safest)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 1,066 (tenth safest)
Murders: 0
Murders Per 100k: 0
More on Hardin: Data | Real Estate

Overall SnackAbility
6
/10

Hardin ranks as the tenth safest city in Montana with just 11 violent crimes. The city also reports a mere 39 property crimes.

Established in 1911 and acting as the county seat of Big Horn County, Hardin achieved local significance because of agricultural landmarks such as Thomas D. Campbell's wheat farming and economic diversification seen with the establishment of the Holly Sugar Company. This blend of history and economic stability, alongside a steady population of 3,656, plays a crucial role in Hardin's consistent crime management, keeping it among the top safe havens in Montana.

Methodology: How we calculated the safest cities in Montana for 2024

Safest Cities in Montana Graph

While there are surveys and public polls on what cities in Montana are the safest, we wanted to rely on something other than speculation and opinion. Instead, we looked at the hard numbers from the FBI's most recent crime report in Montana.

Specifically, we used Saturday Night Science to analyze the FBI's Uniform Crime Report, which summarizes the number of property and violent crimes in each city annually. We used two criteria:

  • Violent crimes per capita (murders, assaults, rapes, armed robberies)
  • Property crimes per capita (thefts, burglaries, motor vehicle thefts)

For example, there were 3 crimes committed in Colstrip, with a reported population of 2,009. That means the number of crimes per capita is 0.0015, which translates into a 1 in 669 chance of being the victim of a crime.

We only looked at Montana cities that have populations of more than 2,000. This filter left us with 32 of the biggest cities in Montana to rank.

We ranked each city for each criterion from 1 to 32 where 1 in any particular category is the safest.

Next, we averaged each place's two criteria to create a Safety Index. We crowned the place with the lowest overall Safety Score, "The Safest Place In Montana," with any ties going to the bigger city.

The safest city in Montana, based on our criteria, is Colstrip. The most dangerous city in Montana? Polson, where residents had a 1 in 17 chance of being the victim of a crime.

This article has been update for 2024. This report marks our tenth time ranking the safest places to live in Montana. All the data comes from the FBI's Crime In The USA 2022 report.

Best Places To Buy A House In Montana

Summary: The Safest Cities In The Treasure State

Looking at the data, you can tell that Colstrip is as safe as they come in Montana, according to science and data.

But as most Montana residents would agree, almost every place here has its safe and not safe parts. So just make sure you're informed ahead of time.

The safest places in Montana are .

Here's a look at the most dangerous cities in Montana according to the data:

  1. Polson
  2. Havre
  3. Billings
For more reading, check out:

Where Are The 10 Safest Cities In Montana For 2024?

Rank City Population Violent Crimes Per 100k Property Crimes Per 100k Murders Per 100k Murders
1 Colstrip, MT 2,009 99 49 0 0
2 Dillon, MT 4,075 245 711 0 0
3 Red Lodge, MT 2,384 335 503 0 0
4 Manhattan, MT 2,154 92 1,392 0 0
5 Lewistown, MT 6,135 407 48 0 0
6 Hamilton, MT 5,138 136 1,342 0 0
7 Glendive, MT 4,860 349 699 0 0
8 East Helena, MT 2,140 46 1,542 0 0
9 Miles City, MT 8,437 367 651 0 0
10 Hardin, MT 3,656 300 1,066 0 0
11 Conrad, MT 2,398 250 1,459 0 0
12 Libby, MT 3,055 360 1,211 0 0
13 Sidney, MT 6,066 478 1,022 16 1
14 Bozeman, MT 55,997 296 1,778 3 2
15 Whitefish, MT 9,189 272 1,871 0 0
16 Columbia Falls, MT 5,734 261 2,092 0 0
17 Stevensville, MT 2,171 552 875 0 0
18 Deer Lodge, MT 2,949 542 1,051 33 1
19 Livingston, MT 8,552 362 2,198 0 0
20 Glasgow, MT 3,183 534 1,413 0 0
21 Belgrade, MT 12,529 510 1,708 0 0
22 Wolf Point, MT 2,620 839 1,259 0 0
23 Laurel, MT 7,139 448 3,291 0 0
24 Kalispell, MT 27,710 498 2,609 3 1
25 Great Falls, MT 60,386 496 4,484 3 2
26 Helena, MT 33,896 755 3,209 2 1
27 Missoula, MT 75,705 634 3,544 2 2
28 Cut Bank, MT 3,053 949 2,456 0 0
29 Ronan City, MT 2,255 620 4,079 0 0
30 Billings, MT 117,866 929 4,316 11 13
31 Havre, MT 9,270 992 3,959 0 0
32 Polson, MT 5,495 1,055 4,531 0 0

Breaking Down Crime In The Safest And Most Dangerous Cities In Montana

Safest Cities in Montana Breakdown

Chris Kolmar has been in the real estate business for almost ten years now. He originally worked for Movoto Real Estate as the director of marketing before founding HomeSnacks.

He believes the key to finding the right place to live comes down to looking at the data, reading about things to do, and, most importantly, checking it out yourself before you move.

If you've been looking for a place to live in the past several years, you've probably stumbled upon his writing already.

You can find out more about him on LinkedIn.

Safest Cities By State

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