Nearly all homeowners in Montana have an unobstructed view of the heavens — no skyscrapers here! The vast panoramic view of wide-open spaces outshines any nature photo a smartphone screen can offer. City folks may enjoy visiting this explorer’s paradise, but it’s the thick-skinned people — the ones who can handle bone-chilling temperatures — who put down roots in Montana.
Due to its rich reserves of gold, silver, and copper, Montana was dubbed the Treasure State more than a century ago. Eager prospectors flooded the area, followed by sheep and cattle ranchers. Acreage wise, it is the fourth largest state, surpassed only by Alaska, Texas, and California. The expansive state can support a large population, but barely 1 million people live there; only seven states have fewer residents.
In the 19th century, much of Montana was a battlefield, as Native Indians and would-be settlers fought for the coveted wide-open spaces. Thankfully, those days are in the history books and Big Sky Country is a peaceful place. Property crime levels sit just below the national average at 42.09 per 1,000 residents. In its 2019 Best States ranking, U.S. News & World Report awarded Montana the 29th spot, moving the state up two slots from 2017. Now, let’s discover which cities made our top 10 list of safest in the state.
The Top 10 Safest Cities in Montana
1. Colstrip
- Population: 2,446
- Violent Crimes Per Capita: 172.1
- Nonviolent Crimes Per Capita: 387.3
- Most Common Crime: Property and Larceny
73% Below National Crime Rate
Colstrip is a small town nestled in Rosebud County, yet it appeared on the radar of Sports Illustrated. In its 50th anniversary edition, the magazine named this quaint township the top sports town in Montana for its wide variety of sporting activities. The primary industries here are electricity production and coal mining. This safe, tightknit community has a cost of living 25 percent lower than the national average.
2. Glendive
- Population: 5,232
- Violent Crimes Per Capita: 214.3
- Nonviolent Crimes Per Capita: 448.2
- Most Common Crime: Property
64% Below National Crime Rate
This breathtaking small town sits between the badlands of Makoshika State Park and the Yellowstone River. The unrivaled beauty of Glendive beckons residents outdoors. It offers an abundance of recreational activities like parks and areas for swimming, kayaking, baseball and golf. If living in an idyllic wonderland is on your bucket list, start packing. Another bonus: Glendive’s cost of living is significantly less expensive than the U.S. national average.
3. Whitefish
- Population: 7,309
- Violent Crimes Per Capita: 115.4
- Nonviolent Crimes Per Capita: 1,410.1
- Most Common Crime: Property and Larceny
31% Below National Crime Rate
Whitefish borders the northern Rocky Mountains at the edge of Glacier National Park. This Nordic wonderland provides pristine lakes, rivers, mountains and more. Locals love to spend the day skiing at the world-class Whitefish Mountain Resort. A piece of this town’s real estate pie will run you almost $400,000 if you want a home in this safe ZIP code.
4. Columbia Falls
- Population: 5,225
- Violent Crimes Per Capita: 146.6
- Nonviolent Crimes Per Capita: 1,246.3
- Most Common Crime: Property and Larceny
34% Below National Crime Rate
If you love white fluffy snow, then Columbia Falls is calling your name; the town averages 57 inches of snowfall annually. The temperature rarely exceeds 80 degrees, making the area perfect for hiking, snowmobiling, skiing, biking and fishing. This small, yet intoxicating town also has an affordable median home listed right under $200,000.
5. Deer Lodge
- Population: 2,976
- Violent Crimes Per Capita: 241.2
- Nonviolent Crimes Per Capita: 310.1
- Most Common Crime: Property
66% Below National Crime Rate
If you are one of the lucky ones to live in Deer Lodge, you know that the unemployment rate is practically nonexistent. Happy residents proudly boast that property crime is one of the lowest in the state. Here in this land of enchantment, the median home price is an affordable $113,400.
6. Dillon
- Population: 4,244
- Violent Crimes Per Capita: 373.7
- Nonviolent Crimes Per Capita: 513.9
- Most Common Crime: Property and Larceny
62% Below National Crime Rate
Parents seeking a great place to raise a family will be happy to know the Dillon school system ranks 8.5 out of 10. And Montana Normal College puts higher education at your fingertips. Locals are proud to showcase blue ribbon fly fishing, plenty of snow peaks for skiing, as well as trailheads to national forests and world-class hunting.
7. Miles City
- Population: 8,576
- Violent Crimes Per Capita: 200.1
- Nonviolent Crimes Per Capita: 1,553.7
- Most Common Crime: Property and Larceny
19% Below National Crime Rate
Miles City is an exhilarating town at the confluence of the Yellowstone and Tongue rivers. Locals refer to it as a cowboy town with acres of vast badlands and wind-swept prairies. From museums to wineries, you can find many reasons to relocate to this safe community.
8. Bozeman
- Population: 45,121
- Violent Crimes Per Capita: 216.2
- Nonviolent Crimes Per Capita: 1,617.4
- Most Common Crime: Property and Larceny
20% Below National Crime Rate
Bozeman has become a magnet for entrepreneurs, as many tech companies are ditching Silicon Valley for both the beauty and lower cost of living this city offers. It is home to Montana State University, whose student population of 15,000 gives this town a youthful vibe. And for outdoor enthusiasts, the nearby Gallatin River provides abundant trout fishing. In fact,, the movie A River Runs Through It was filmed there.
9. Libby
- Population: 2,663
- Violent Crimes Per Capita: 111.2
- Nonviolent Crimes Per Capita: 2,742.8
- Most Common Crime: Property and Larceny
21% Above National Crime Rate
Consider relocating to Libby for its spectacular beauty alone and enjoy picnics along the crystal-clear water of the Kootenai River. This safe community lies beneath the shadows of the Cabinet and Purcell mountains. The median age of locals is 50 and you can own a home for just over $100,000.
10. Laurel
- Population: 6,849
- Violent Crimes Per Capita: 220.6
- Nonviolent Crimes Per Capita: 1,705.9
- Most Common Crime: Property and Larceny
105% Above National Crime Rate
Located southwest of Billings, the laid-back town of Laurel sits along the Yellowstone River and is in close proximity to both Yellowstone National Park and Custer Gallatin National Forest. Laurel is a place where wildflowers bloom and wildlife roams. Homes are selling for almost $250,000 and are appreciating rapidly. This off-the-beaten-path slice of paradise has plentiful outdoor activities and, of course, shopping and great schools.
All data are taken from FBI U.S. crime statistics.
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Heather Allen is a freelance writer who began her career 20 years ago at a small Texas NBC affiliate, while attending SFASU. She’s written blogs on a diverse range of topics.
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