Are Montana and its Cities Safe or Dangerous to Live in 2024?

How Safe or Dangerous Is Montana in 2024?

Montana Safety Scores, out of 100 points (2023)

A 47/100 safety score from overall crime in Montana indicates a state with fluctuating safety, sometimes good, sometimes less so.

Overall Crime (safety score): 47
Violent Crime (safety score): 45
Property Crime (safety score): 54

Compared to the U.S. average for safety scores from overall crime, this state is slightly more dangerous (-3 pts lower), slightly more dangerous from violent crime (-3 pts lower), and slightly safer from property crime (+1 pts higher).

Where Does Montana Rank in Safety Among U.S. States in 2023?

Overall Crime (safety ranking): 32nd
Violent Crime (safety ranking): 34th
Property Crime (safety ranking): 30th

Out of the 50 states in America (and D.C.), based on the most recent crime data, Montana state is ranked 32nd in overall safety from overall crime, making it a somewhat more dangerous state comparatively speaking. In terms of individual categories of violent and property crime, Montana is ranked 34th on safety from violent crime, meaning it's a somewhat more dangerous state for this category of crime. With respect to safety from property crime, this state is positioned 30th and is a slightly more dangerous state relative to others.

Is Montana Becoming Safer or More Dangerous?

Year-on-Year Change in Safety Scores (2023 vs. 2022)

Overall Crime (Year-on-Year): -2 percentage points
Violent Crime (Year-on-Year): -1 percentage point
Property Crime (Year-on-Year): no change

Compared to 2022 regarding safety scores from overall crime, this state in 2023 is slightly more dangerous overall (-2 pts lower), slightly more dangerous from violent crime (-1 pts lower), and the same in terms of safety levels from property crime (unchanged).

What Is the Likelihood of Becoming a Crime Victim in Montana in 2024?

Overall Crime: Low
Violent Crime: Low
Property Crime: Low

In Montana, the overall risk of becoming a victim of crime is low. Specifically, the risk of becoming a victim of violent crime is low, and the risk of becoming a victim of property crime is low.

What Are the Overall Crime Trends in Montana from 2017 to 2023?

Current Safety from Overall Crime: State Score vs. U.S. Average

Safety Scores from Total Crime
MT State	47
U.S. Avg.	50

Safety from Overall Crime (2017-2023): State Score vs. U.S. Average

	MT State	U.S. Avg.
2023	47	50
2022	49	46
2021	49	45
2020	45	44
2019	50	45
2018	48	44
2017	46	42

Investigating Montana, and analyzing its overall crime data indicates that the state, in its current condition compared to pre-pandemic times, is slightly more dangerous (-1 pts lower), somewhat more dangerous now from violent crime (-5 pts lower), and safer now from property crime (+10 pts higher).

Crime pattern analysis in the U.S. indicates that, with regard to overall crime, the nation, as of now versus before the pandemic, is somewhat safer (+6 pts higher), slightly safer now from violent crime (+4 pts higher), and somewhat safer now from property crime (+9 pts higher).

Learn more about Montana's violent crime and property crime in our detailed sections.

Violent Crime: How Safe or Dangerous Is Montana in 2024?

Safety Scores from Violent Crime, out of 100 points (2023)

Earning a middle-of-the-road 45/100 safety score from violent crime, Montana is a state with hit-and-miss safety levels.

Overall Violent Crime (safety score): 45
Murder (safety score): 40
Rape (safety score): 30
Robbery (safety score): 81
Aggravated Assault (safety score): 35

Compared to the U.S. average for safety scores from violent crime, this state is slightly more dangerous (-3 pts lower), similar from murder (no difference), much more dangerous from rape (-25 pts lower), much safer from robbery (+23 pts higher), and somewhat more dangerous from aggravated assault (-8 pts lower).

How Does Montana Rank in Violent Crime Among U.S. States in 2023?

Overall Violent Crime (safety ranking): 34th
Murder (safety ranking): 21st
Rape (safety ranking): 48th
Robbery (safety ranking): 9th
Aggravated Assault (safety ranking): 40th

Among the 50 states in America (and D.C.) with available crime data, Montana state is ranked 34th in overall safety from violent crime, making it a somewhat more dangerous state comparatively speaking. In terms of individual categories of violent crime, Montana is ranked 21st on safety from murder, meaning it's a slightly safer state for this type of crime. With respect to safety from rape, this state is positioned 48th and is a significantly more dangerous state relative to others. Regarding safety from robbery, this state comes in at 9th place, indicating that it's a much safer state, and for safety from aggravated assault, it's ranked 40th, making it a much more dangerous state.

Is Violent Crime Increasing or Decreasing in Montana?

Year-on-Year Change in Safety Scores from Violent Crime (2023 vs. 2022)

Overall Violent Crime (Year-on-Year): -1 percentage point
Murder (Year-on-Year): -5 percentage points
Rape (Year-on-Year): -1 percentage point
Robbery (Year-on-Year): +1 percentage point
Aggravated Assault (Year-on-Year): +2 percentage points

Compared to 2022 regarding safety scores from violent crime, this state in 2023 is slightly more dangerous overall (-1 pts lower), somewhat more dangerous from murder (-5 pts lower), slightly more dangerous from rape (-1 pts lower), slightly safer from robbery (+1 pts higher), and slightly safer from aggravated assault (+2 pts higher).

What Is the Likelihood of Experiencing Violent Crime in Montana in 2024?

Overall Violent Crime: Low
Murder: Moderate
Rape: Moderate
Robbery: Slight
Aggravated Assault: Moderate

In Montana, the risk of becoming a victim of violent crime is low. Beware of:

Murder
Rape
Aggravated Assault

What Are the Violent Crime Trends in Montana from 2017 to 2023?

Current Safety from Violent Crime: State Score vs. U.S. Average

Safety Scores from Total Violent Crime
MT State	45
U.S. Avg.	48

Safety from Violent Crime (2017-2023): State Score vs. U.S. Average

	MT State	U.S. Avg.
2023	45	48
2022	46	43
2021	48	41
2020	44	42
2019	51	44
2018	50	44
2017	49	43

Investigating Montana, and its crime dynamics points out that the state, considering violent crime now versus the pre-pandemic era, is somewhat more dangerous (-5 pts lower), more dangerous now from murder (-14 pts lower), still on par with the 2017-2019 period in terms of safety from rape (unchanged), still on par with the 2017-2019 period in terms of safety from robbery (unchanged), and slightly more dangerous now from aggravated assault (-1 pts lower).

Crime rate trends in the U.S. suggest that concerning overall violent crime, the U.S. now, compared to the pre-pandemic years, is slightly safer (+4 pts higher), slightly more dangerous now from murder (-1 pts lower), somewhat safer now from rape (+9 pts higher), safer now from robbery (+11 pts higher), and still on par with the 2017-2019 period in terms of safety from aggravated assault (unchanged).

What Are the Murder Trends in Montana from 2017 to 2023?

Current Safety from Murder: State Score vs. U.S. Average

Safety Scores from Homicide
MT State	40
U.S. Avg.	40

Safety from Murder (2017-2023): State Score vs. U.S. Average

	MT State	U.S. Avg.
2023	40	40
2022	45	33
2021	56	30
2020	42	32
2019	58	41
2018	54	42
2017	50	40

What Are the Rape Trends in Montana from 2017 to 2023?

Current Safety from Rape: State Score vs. U.S. Average

Safety Scores from Rape
MT State	30
U.S. Avg.	55

Safety from Rape (2017-2023): State Score vs. U.S. Average

	MT State	U.S. Avg.
2023	30	55
2022	31	49
2021	29	47
2020	30	51
2019	29	45
2018	32	45
2017	29	47

What Are the Robbery Trends in Montana from 2017 to 2023?

Current Safety from Robbery: State Score vs. U.S. Average

Safety Scores from Robbery
MT State	81
U.S. Avg.	58

Safety from Robbery (2017-2023): State Score vs. U.S. Average

	MT State	U.S. Avg.
2023	81	58
2022	80	56
2021	78	56
2020	78	53
2019	83	50
2018	78	48
2017	81	43

What Are the Aggravated Assault Trends in Montana from 2017 to 2023?

Current Safety from Aggravated Assault: State Score vs. U.S. Average

Safety Scores from Aggravated Assault
MT State	35
U.S. Avg.	43

Safety from Aggravated Assault (2017-2023): State Score vs. U.S. Average

	MT State	U.S. Avg.
2023	35	43
2022	33	41
2021	30	41
2020	29	40
2019	33	43
2018	37	44
2017	39	43

Property Crime: How Safe or Dangerous Is Montana in 2024?

Safety Scores from Property Crime, out of 100 points (2023)

Earning a 54/100 safety score from property crime, Montana is a state where safety is somewhat of a mixed experience.

Overall Property Crime (safety score): 54
Burglary (safety score): 61
Larceny (safety score): 55
Auto Theft (safety score): 51
Arson (safety score): 31

Compared to the U.S. average for safety scores from property crime, this state is slightly safer (+1 pts higher), slightly safer from burglary (+3 pts higher), slightly more dangerous from larceny (-2 pts lower), safer from auto theft (+12 pts higher), and more dangerous from arson (-14 pts lower).

How Does Montana Rank in Property Crime Among U.S. States in 2023?

Overall Property Crime (safety ranking): 30th
Burglary (safety ranking): 24th
Larceny (safety ranking): 31st
Auto Theft (safety ranking): 34th
Arson (safety ranking): 39th

Considering the 50 states in America (and D.C.), that have crime data available, Montana state is ranked 30th in overall safety from property crime, making it a slightly more dangerous state comparatively speaking. In terms of individual categories of property crime, Montana is ranked 24th on safety from burglary, meaning it's a moderately secure state for this type of crime. With respect to safety from larceny, this state is positioned 31st and is a slightly more dangerous state relative to others. Regarding safety from auto theft, this state comes in at 34th place, indicating that it's a somewhat more dangerous state, and for safety from arson, it's ranked 39th, making it a more dangerous state.

Is Property Crime Increasing or Decreasing in Montana?

Year-on-Year Change in Safety Scores from Property Crime (2023 vs. 2022)

Overall Property Crime (Year-on-Year): no change
Burglary (Year-on-Year): -1 percentage point
Larceny (Year-on-Year): +3 percentage points
Auto Theft (Year-on-Year): -1 percentage point
Arson (Year-on-Year): -5 percentage points

Compared to 2022 regarding safety scores from property crime, this state in 2023 is the same in terms of overall safety levels (unchanged), slightly more dangerous from burglary (-1 pts lower), slightly safer from larceny (+3 pts higher), slightly more dangerous from auto theft (-1 pts lower), and somewhat more dangerous from arson (-5 pts lower).

What Is the Likelihood of Experiencing Property Crime in Montana in 2024?

Overall Property Crime: Low
Burglary: Minor
Larceny: Low
Auto Theft: Low
Arson: Moderate

In Montana, the risk of becoming a victim of property crime is low. Beware of Arson.

What Are the Property Crime Trends in Montana from 2017 to 2023?

Current Safety from Property Crime: State Score vs. U.S. Average

Safety Scores from Total Property Crime
MT State	54
U.S. Avg.	53

Safety from Property Crime (2017-2023): State Score vs. U.S. Average

	MT State	U.S. Avg.
2023	54	53
2022	54	51
2021	50	53
2020	49	49
2019	49	48
2018	43	45
2017	40	41

Investigating Montana, and its crime rate comparisons depicts that the state, regarding property crime now as opposed to pre-pandemic, is safer (+10 pts higher), safer now from burglary (+13 pts higher), safer now from larceny (+15 pts higher), slightly safer now from auto theft (+2 pts higher), and somewhat more dangerous now from arson (-6 pts lower).

Crime trends in the U.S. indicate that concerning overall property crime, the U.S. now, compared to the pre-pandemic years, is somewhat safer (+9 pts higher), safer now from burglary (+19 pts higher), somewhat safer now from larceny (+8 pts higher), more dangerous now from auto theft (-12 pts lower), and somewhat safer now from arson (+6 pts higher).

What Are the Burglary Trends in Montana from 2017 to 2023?

Current Safety from Burglary: State Score vs. U.S. Average

Safety Scores from Burglary
MT State	61
U.S. Avg.	58

Safety from Burglary (2017-2023): State Score vs. U.S. Average

	MT State	U.S. Avg.
2023	61	58
2022	62	54
2021	56	53
2020	54	48
2019	53	44
2018	48	39
2017	44	32

What Are the Larceny Trends in Montana from 2017 to 2023?

Current Safety from Larceny: State Score vs. U.S. Average

Safety Scores from Larceny
MT State	55
U.S. Avg.	57

Safety from Larceny (2017-2023): State Score vs. U.S. Average

	MT State	U.S. Avg.
2023	55	57
2022	52	54
2021	52	57
2020	49	54
2019	46	50
2018	38	49
2017	37	47

What Are the Auto Theft Trends in Montana from 2017 to 2023?

Current Safety from Auto Theft: State Score vs. U.S. Average

Safety Scores from Auto Theft
MT State	51
U.S. Avg.	39

Safety from Auto Theft (2017-2023): State Score vs. U.S. Average

	MT State	U.S. Avg.
2023	51	39
2022	52	44
2021	45	48
2020	49	49
2019	52	52
2018	46	51
2017	49	50

What Are the Arson Trends in Montana from 2017 to 2023?

Current Safety from Arson: State Score vs. U.S. Average

Safety Scores from Arson
MT State	31
U.S. Avg.	45

Safety from Arson (2017-2023): State Score vs. U.S. Average

	MT State	U.S. Avg.
2023	31	45
2022	36	40
2021	29	50
2020	30	33
2019	42	42
2018	39	39
2017	30	35

The assessments presented on this website, including those related to crime, safety, cost of living, and other location characteristics (e.g., states, cities, towns, villages, neighborhoods, areas, landmarks), are based on various sources and our internal research methods. These assessments are not guaranteed to be accurate or complete and should not be used as the sole basis for making any decisions.

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Is Montana Safe to Live in 2024?

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