Columbia Falls, MT Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 97% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Columbia Falls Safe?
Yes — Columbia Falls is very safe
A very safe city with well below-average crime rates overall.
Columbia Falls has a crime rate that is 52% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 455.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 455
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
42% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 65
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
16% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Columbia Falls Crime Breakdown
Estimated crime rates based on FBI UCR data, calibrated to city-level crime score.
| Crime Type | Index | vs National | Risk Level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | ||||
|
Murder
|
63 | -37% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
52 | -48% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
69 | -31% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
80 | -20% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
65 | -35% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
79 | -21% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
82 | -18% | Average | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Columbia Falls Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Columbia Falls Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Columbia Falls zip codes.
Columbia Falls Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Columbia Falls, MT?
Columbia Falls, MT has a crime safety grade of A as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 52% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 455 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 65 chance for property crime. Columbia Falls has lower crime than 97% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Columbia Falls, MT safe to live in?
Columbia Falls is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of A. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Columbia Falls is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Columbia Falls?
The estimated violent crime rate in Columbia Falls is 219.7 per 100,000 residents, which is 42% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 455 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 3.1 per 100K (37% below average); aggravated assault at 138.7 per 100K (48% below average); robbery at 51.1 per 100K (31% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Columbia Falls?
The estimated property crime rate in Columbia Falls is 1,542.8 per 100,000 residents, which is 16% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 65 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 175.3 per 100K (35% below average); larceny/theft at 1,106.9 per 100K (21% below average); vehicle theft at 260.6 per 100K (18% below average).
How does Columbia Falls crime compare to the national average?
Columbia Falls's overall crime rate is 52% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is vehicle theft (18% below average), while assault is 48% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Columbia Falls has lower crime than 97% of them.
Is Columbia Falls safe to visit?
Columbia Falls is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 16% below average, which is typically the main concern for tourists. Avoid leaving valuables in vehicles, stay aware of your surroundings in unfamiliar areas, and stick to well-traveled neighborhoods.
How does Columbia Falls crime compare to the rest of Montana?
Montana as a whole has crime that is 23% above the national average. Columbia Falls's crime rate is 52% below the national average, making it safer the typical Montana city.
What type of crime is most common in Columbia Falls?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Columbia Falls, with an estimated rate of 1,106.9 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 21% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,543 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (220 per 100K) in Columbia Falls, which is consistent with national trends.