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D+

Is Missoula, Montana Safe?

Population 78,903 · Safer than 20% of US cities

Improving· 2023 FBI UCR data

Missoula has a crime problem that shows up in the data. The D+ safety grade reflects a violent crime rate close to the national average and an overall rate of 254.5 per 1,000 residents. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,821 per 100K.

Missoula Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricMissoulaMontana AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate378.4356.1363.8
Property Crime Rate2166.52091.21,832.3
Murder Rate8.0--5.7
Assault Rate299.0--268.2
Theft Rate1821.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate409.0--318.3

All rates per 100,000 residents. 2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report + Census Bureau population estimates.

Overall SafetyD+

254.5 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC-

378/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD+

2167/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Missoula

Violent crime in Missoula is close to the national average. The rate of 378.4 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2166.5 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,821 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Missoula Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder8
01.4x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault299
01.1x national avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery70
01.1x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary330
01.2x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,821
01.3x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft409
01.3x national avgAvg: 318.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. Vertical marker = national average.

How Missoula Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Missoula
378.4
State
356.1
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Missoula
2166.5
State
2091.2
National
1832.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. National averages from 2023 FBI UCR data.

Frequently Asked Questions About Missoula Safety

Is Missoula safe?
Not especially. Missoula earns a D+ with a crime rate of 254.5 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs close to the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Missoula?
254.5 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 378.4 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2166.5 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Missoula safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Missoula's D+ grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,821 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Missoula?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Missoula generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Missoula police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Missoula?
No. Crime in Missoula has been trending down, which is good news for the D+-rated city.
How does Missoula compare to other cities in Montana?
Below average for the state. Missoula ranks behind about 80% of Montana cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.2x the national rate.
How safe is Missoula to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average. Crime has been dropping, which helps.
How bad is crime in Missoula?
Bad. A D+ grade and 254.5 per-thousand rate put Missoula below 80% of US cities. Violent crime at 378 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Missoula?
378.4 per 100,000, which is 4% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (299), robbery (70), and murder (8.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in Montana

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View all Montana city safety grades

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2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national and state-level crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

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