Safest Places to Live in Montana
Montana offers wide-open living, but safety varies by location. With 5.5 violent crimes per 1,000 residents, choosing the right city matters. Many communities stay secure through strong local networks and lower population density. Explore Houzeo's list of the safest cities in Montana to find affordable, low-crime places to live.
Rankings
Find Your Home
For Retirees
For Families
For Young Adults
FAQsRankings: 10 Safest Places in Montana
Stevensville is a stable town with a violent crime rate of 2.3 per 1,000 residents. Safety is supported by local coordination between businesses and law enforcement, helping keep property crime lower than in larger cities. The tow...
Personal Safety : 100
Property Safety : 84
Community Safety : 87
$585,000
Median Home Rent
$1,800
Plains has a very low violent crime rate of just 0.8 per 1,000 residents. Its quieter setting and limited through traffic help keep neighborhoods calm and less exposed to outside activity. With work areas located away from residen...
Personal Safety : 97
Property Safety : 96
Community Safety : 73
Median Home Price
$353,500
Median Home Rent
$850
Eureka stands out as a safer option, with a total crime rate of about 5.7 per 1,000 residents. Its location near the Canadian border contributes to a steady law enforcement presence, which supports overall safety. Lower population...
Personal Safety : 100
Property Safety : 75
Community Safety : 83
$502,500
Median Home Rent
$2,000
Darby has a violent crime rate below state averages. Its open layout and low density support overall safety. Fewer crowds and limited through traffic help keep neighborhoods calm. Community awareness also plays a role in maintaini...
Personal Safety : 80
Property Safety : 84
Community Safety : 65
Median Home Price
$550,000
Median Home Rent
$1,400
Columbia Falls has a steady violent crime rate of about 2.7 per 1,000 residents. Local policing and community awareness help maintain safety. Even with seasonal tourism from nearby Glacier National Park, neighborhoods stay relativ...
Personal Safety : 90
Property Safety : 80
Community Safety : 70
$463,500
Median Home Rent
$1,750
Troy has a very low property crime rate, around 0.5 per 1,000 residents. Its small size and close-knit community help maintain safety. Limited population and low traffic reduce outside activity. Residents tend to know their neighb...
Personal Safety : 81
Property Safety : 81
Community Safety : 57
$273,533
Median Home Rent
$1,100
Whitefish has a low violent crime rate of about 1.2 per 1,000 residents. Local policing and community vigilance help keep neighborhoods safe. Seasonal tourism is concentrated around resorts, leaving residential areas quieter. Whit...
Personal Safety : 90
Property Safety : 62
Community Safety : 76
$920,000
Median Home Rent
$1,480
Libby is considered one of the safer places to live in Montana. Its violent crime rate is around 1.5 per 1,000 residents. Safety has improved in recent years with steady local efforts. Well-lit streets and community awareness supp...
Personal Safety : 60
Property Safety : 96
Community Safety : 76
$312,400
Median Home Rent
$1,300
East Helena has a lower crime profile than many larger cities. Its residential setting helps keep neighborhoods quieter. Proximity to Helena provides job access without heavy urban activity. Lower density and limited commercial zo...
Personal Safety : 55
Property Safety : 77
Community Safety : 57
$409,900
Median Home Rent
$2,095
Hamilton has a violent crime rate of about 3.1 per 1,000 residents. The local police and sheriff's office provide consistent coverage throughout the town. Residential areas and commercial zones benefit from regular patrols. Hamilt...
Personal Safety : 54
Property Safety : 49
Community Safety : 43
$460,000
Median Home Rent
$2,100
Top 3 Safest Places to Retire in Montana
Top 3 Safest Places to Live in Montana for Families
Top 3 Safest Places to Live in Montana for Young Adults
Download the App Now!
4.7-star mobile app
Browse 1.6 million listings
Get instant alerts for new homes
List homes on the go
Manage showings and submit offers
Ranking Methodology
To determine the safest places to live, we applied a structured, data-driven methodology using verified crime and public safety datasets. Our analysis incorporates violent crime rates and property crime rates (FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program), local law enforcement staffing levels, community safety investment scores, and resident-reported safety data. Each factor was normalized against the Montana state average to control for population size and regional differences. The combined metrics were then weighted and aggregated to produce a final Safety Score out of 100, highlighting cities where crime rates are significantly below the state baseline and community safety infrastructure is strongest.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to buy a house in Montana in a safe area?
Which cities are considered the cheapest in Montana?
Is Montana a safe state for solo female travelers or residents?
How do Montanans typically protect their homes and property?
How does Montana handle school safety for new families?
Transparent & data-driven
How we ranked the safest cities
Each city is scored against the national average across three weighted categories, built entirely from FBI NIBRS crime data spanning 18 offense categories. Every metric is converted to a per-capita rate and a common 0–100 scale, so no single offense can dominate — and a city served by a non-reporting agency is never treated as crime-free.
Scoring weights
- Personal Safety50%
Homicide, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, kidnapping & human trafficking vs. the national rate.
- Property Security30%
Burglary, larceny, motor vehicle theft, arson & theft from buildings or vehicles vs. the national rate.
- Community Order20%
Simple assault, sex offenses, stolen property, vandalism, weapon & drug violations — the tiebreaker.
Our data source
Recalculated as each new annual NIBRS reporting year is released · agency-to-city mappings refresh quarterly.
Important Legal Disclosures
MLS Disclaimers
The market analysis provided on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Data is sourced from public records, industry reports, and third-party providers, and while Houzeo strives for accuracy, we make no guarantees regarding the completeness, accuracy, or timeliness of the information presented.
All estimates, projections, and historical data are based on statistical models and should not be relied upon as predictions of future market conditions. Past performance is not indicative of future results, and real estate market conditions may change due to various economic and regulatory factors. Users are responsible for conducting their own due diligence before making any real estate or financial decisions. Houzeo is not liable for any decisions or actions taken based on the information provided. Any unauthorized use, duplication, or distribution of the data may violate copyright laws and result in legal consequences. Certain information, tools and services on this page may be powered by third-party vendors. Houzeo does not control or guarantee the accuracy, reliability, or functionality of such third-party services.