Top 10 Safe Cities in Montana in 2025 for Families

Looking for the safest places to raise a family in Montana? You’re in the right place. Montana is known for its natural beauty, with relatively low violent crime rates. However, certain areas report higher property crime, so knowing where to settle matters.

Cities like Colstrip and Baker have the best safety records, with crime rates per 100K well below the state average. On the other hand, places such as Polson and Billings have reported higher crime activity.

To help you make an informed decision, this guide ranks the top 10 safest cities in Montana based on the latest 2024 FBI crime data. Stick around until the end for practical safety tips:

Is Montana Safe to Live In? Crime Statistic Overview

Yes, Montana is generally considered safe, though crime varies by region. According to the 2024 FBI data, the state’s total violent crime rate stands at 423.5 incidents per 100,000 residents, which is below many national averages.

Property crime is higher at 1617 per 100,000, mostly involving larceny-theft (1286), burglary (342.5), and motor vehicle theft (164.0). Most serious crimes occur in larger metro areas like Billings and Great Falls, while smaller communities remain very secure.

However, cities such as Colstrip and Baker report exceptionally low crime rates, making them some of the safest places to live in Montana.

A Quick Comparison Between the Safest Cities in Montana

To rank Montana’s safest cities, we analyzed official FBI crime statistics from the Uniform Crime Report (UCR). Then, our editors calculated each city’s total crime rate per 100,000 residents using the formula:

Total Crime Rate (per 100,000) = (Violent Crime + Property Crime) / Population × 100,000

Each city was then ranked from the lowest to the highest total crime rate. Afterwards, we selected the following 10 safest cities in Montana based on having the lowest overall crime per 100,000 residents in the state.

What are the Top 10 Safest Places to Live in Montana?

Upon going through the table, let’s dig deeper into the details of the safest Montana cities to get a better idea about their crime status.

1. Colstrip

Colstrip stands out as Montana’s safest city, recording no violent crimes and only 2 property offenses among its 2,044 residents. With a total of just 2 crimes reported, the city’s rate is drastically below Montana’s statewide average. Property cases involve only minor thefts, and no burglaries or assaults were noted.

2. Baker

Baker maintains a strong safety record with 4 violent crimes and 3 property crimes, totaling just 7 incidents. These figures fall far below the Montana averages for both violent and property crime. No murders or robberies were recorded, and property cases were limited to two larcenies and one vehicle theft.

The town’s manageable size and engaged police force make it easy to maintain a visible security presence. On top of that, community awareness and mutual trust in this one of the safest cities in Montana keep crime opportunities minimal.

3. Eureka

Eureka has reported only 3 violent crimes and 6 property crimes in 2024, making a total of 9 offenses among 1,585 residents. All property crimes were low-level cases involving minor theft or vehicle damage, while serious offenses like robbery or homicide were absent.

With no major burglaries or aggravated assaults, Eureka exemplifies how local engagement can keep crime remarkably low. Residents benefit from a rural lifestyle with very little threat of victimization.

4. Dillon

Dillon demonstrates a balanced safety profile with 18 violent crimes and 15 property crimes for its 4,278 residents. Even with this modest count, Dillon remains safer than the statewide average of 2030 crimes per 100k residents. Notably, no robberies or murders occurred, and most violent cases involved minor assaults.

Property crimes mainly included 14 larcenies, with very few burglaries or vehicle thefts. Moreover, Dillon’s close coordination between residents and police facilitates swift reporting and resolution.

5. Conrad

Conrad records 6 violent crimes and 18 property crimes, totaling 24 reported offenses. Violent incidents are infrequent and primarily consist of minor assaults (4 incidents). On the other hand, property crimes consist mostly of larcenies (16 reports) with just one burglary and vehicle theft.

Lastly, this safest place to live in Montana maintains strong community visibility, which discourages repeat offenses.

6. Stevensville

Stevensville’s low crime count, 5 violent and 25 property crimes for a population of nearly 2187, makes it one of Montana’s safest cities. Its total of 30 incidents is still comfortably below the state average. Burglaries are rare, and most property offenses involve simple thefts (17 cases) without major losses.

Moreover, the town benefits from a proactive sheriff’s department and strong school plus community partnerships. With no serious violent crimes like homicide or robbery, this city is generally safe for everyone.

7. Glendive

Having around 4774 residents, Glendive reported only 32 violent and 44 property crimes. Although the total crimes (76 incidents) are higher than in some smaller towns, Glendive’s rates still compare favorably to Montana’s overall averages. Most violent crimes are minor assaults, and property incidents include a handful of burglaries (5 cases). 

Furthermore, its active police outreach programs and community watch networks keep serious criminal activity minimal. Public participation plays a big role in preventing recidivism.

8. Glasgow

Glasgow maintains moderate safety levels with 16 violent crimes and 35 property crimes. Its total crime numbers reach over 51 offenses with around 3175 residents. Violent cases primarily involve minor incidents, including 13 assaults and 1 robbery. Moreover, property crimes include a few larcenies and just two vehicle thefts.

This safe city in Montana prevents crimes through patrols and public communication. Other than that, residents cite good trust in law enforcement and low fear of serious crimes.

9. Belgrade

With a population of over 13,184 people, Belgrade reported 45 violent crimes and 152 property crimes. While population contributes to slightly higher totals, the per-capita rate remains below that of many larger Montana cities. Violent crimes are relatively few for a town of its size, and property incidents are mostly larcenies.

However, this city has also seen 7 cases of burglaries, requiring residents to take home security measures. Overall, its community policing programs and Gallatin County Sheriff’s partnerships keep the city safe.

10. Columbia Falls

Columbia Falls saw only 16 violent crimes and 93 property crimes, totaling 109 incidents. The majority of property crimes involve small-scale thefts, with almost no burglaries or serious offenses reported. On the other hand, its violent crime cases involve 3 rape and 13 aggravated assault incidents.

Overall, the town’s reputation for safety is established through its clean neighborhood image. So, Columbia Falls manages to maintain a spot among Montana’s safest cities.

What Kind of Safety Concerns Affect the Montana People?

While living in any Montana city, you can face the following safety concerns:

• Larceny Theft: As the most common crime, larceny makes up 79.5% of all property crimes statewide. In 2024, over 19,000 thefts were reported, mostly in larger towns like Billings and Great Falls.
• Road Accidents: Montana reported roughly 215 motor-vehicle deaths in 2023, which raises concerns about road safety. Surprisingly, alcohol was a confirmed factor in many recent fatalities, with a 44% probability.
• Aggravated Assault: Being the most frequent violent crime, assaults represent 71% of violent offenses. To our surprise, there were 2800 cases reported in 2024, involving domestic or interpersonal disputes.
• Wildfire: Such risks are increasingly threatening communities, as 2024 saw over 352,491 acres burned in Montana. These wildfire incidents caused evacuations, property loss, and long-term economic strain.
• Burglary: Accounting for 10.3% of property offenses, Montana saw around 2500 burglaries in 2024. While break-ins are rare in the safe cities in Montana, urban areas report more residential and business burglaries.

Which Are the Dangerous Cities in Montana to Avoid?

If you want to move to a safe place to live in Montana, avoid these most dangerous cities:

1. Polson

Polson records 40 violent and 285 property crimes, with a total crime rate of nearly 4700 per 100,000 people. Frequent thefts and assaults in some areas heighten the danger level.

2. Havre

Havre sees a crime rate of around 3860 crimes per 100k residents, with 4 violent and 307 property crimes. Generally, its high theft and assault figures relative to population drive the unsafe reputation.

3. Billings

Billings reported around 911 violent and 3765 property crimes, according to the 2024 FBI report. Its crime rate of over 3830 crimes per 100,000 residents is due to its large size.

4. Helena

Helena has faced 181 violent and 910 property crimes in the last year. With a crime rate of 3090 per 100k residents, this city struggles with rising aggravated assaults.

5. Great Falls

Facing over 2417 offenses per 100k residents, Great Falls has faced 347 violent and 2070 property crimes. Persistent thefts and domestic assaults contribute to its safety concerns.

What Tips to Follow to Stay Safe in Dangerous Cities in Montana?

When living in the most dangerous Montana cities, follow these safety tips:

Tip 1. Choose Safer Routes

When traveling through high-crime areas in Montana, stick to main roads rather than isolated shortcuts. Moreover, you should avoid walking alone late at night and always let someone know your route. Using GPS apps to check traffic and safety conditions can also help prevent entering risky neighborhoods.

Tip 2. Guard Entry Points of Your House

We also recommend you strengthen your doors and entryways to prevent break-ins. For this, install a smart lock, so only trusted people can enter your home. eufy Smart Locks paired with a video doorbell can help detect suspicious activity outside your home.

On one hand, eufy Smart Locks provide keyless control and remote locking. At the same time, eufy Video Doorbells offer clear video and instant visitor alerts.

Tip 3. Build Relationships with Neighbors

To deter burglars and thieves, friendly neighbors can watch out for each other's homes. With a connected community, residents can quickly identify unfamiliar vehicles or suspicious behavior. Simply greeting neighbors or joining local watch groups can greatly increase safety and awareness in dangerous areas.

Tip 4. Monitor Your Home with Security Cameras

Security cameras are one of the strongest deterrents against suspicious activity. For example, eufy Indoor Cam S350 features 360° coverage and AI person detection, giving you a complete view of rooms and hallways without blind spots.

For exterior protection, choose eufy Outdoor Security Cameras equipped with night vision and smart motion alerts. With their two-way audio, you can communicate with visitors or warn off trespassers instantly.

Tip 5. Install an Advanced Security System

In some Montana cities where property crimes are more common, a full home security system adds strong protection. The eufy ExpertSecure Security System combines entry sensors, motion detectors, video doorbells, cameras, and a central hub to monitor your home from every angle.

You can arm or disarm the system through the eufy app and receive instant alerts if a door opens unexpectedly. On top of that, it also works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for hands-free control.

When a real break-in occurs, the system notifies you and the monitoring team. Moving forward, authorities are mobilized quickly to catch the burglars in action.

Final Thoughts

Montana is generally a safe state, with smaller towns like Colstrip and Baker showing low crime rates. However, larger cities report higher property and violent crime, so caution is necessary. While living outside the safest cities in Montana, residents face common risks like larceny, assault, and burglary.

To stay safe, residents should choose safer routes and install home security measures. If you want complete peace of mind, we recommend you go for the eufy ExpertSecure System to protect your family with its advanced monitoring.

Frequently Asked Questions

What city in Montana is the safest?

Colstrip is considered one of Montana’s safest cities. With a population of 2044, it reports 0 violent crime and only 97.8 property crime per 100k people. Overall, it has reported only 2 total crimes 2 total crimes, according to the 2024 FBI report.

What is the downside of living in Montana?

Residents generally enjoy natural beauty in Montana, but downsides include harsh winters and limited access to specialized healthcare amenities. Moreover, job markets can be narrow outside cities, and broadband coverage remains spotty in rural areas.

Does Montana have severe cybercrime issues?

Yes, cybercrime is a growing concern in Montana, with 61% of residents worried about digital threats and 35% reporting incidents recently. While Montanans are strong in using password managers, only 7% use identity protection programs.