Columbus, MT Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 94% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Columbus Safe?
Yes — Columbus is very safe
A very safe city with well below-average crime rates overall.
Columbus has a crime rate that is 50% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 490.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 490
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
46% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 127
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
57% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Columbus 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
|
58 | -42% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
50 | -50% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
62 | -38% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
63 | -37% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
44 | -56% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
36 | -64% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
52 | -48% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Columbus Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Columbus Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Columbus zip codes.
Columbus Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Columbus, MT?
Columbus, MT has a crime safety grade of A as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 50% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 490 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 127 chance for property crime. Columbus has lower crime than 94% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Columbus, MT safe to live in?
Columbus 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 Columbus is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Columbus?
The estimated violent crime rate in Columbus is 204.1 per 100,000 residents, which is 46% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 490 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 2.9 per 100K (42% below average); aggravated assault at 134.1 per 100K (50% below average); robbery at 46.0 per 100K (38% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Columbus?
The estimated property crime rate in Columbus is 787.6 per 100,000 residents, which is 57% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 127 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 119.9 per 100K (56% below average); larceny/theft at 500.7 per 100K (64% below average); vehicle theft at 167.0 per 100K (48% below average).
How does Columbus crime compare to the national average?
Columbus's overall crime rate is 50% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is rape (37% below average), while larceny/theft is 64% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Columbus has lower crime than 94% of them.
Is Columbus safe to visit?
Columbus is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 57% 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 Columbus crime compare to the rest of Montana?
Montana as a whole has crime that is 23% above the national average. Columbus's crime rate is 50% below the national average, making it safer the typical Montana city.
What type of crime is most common in Columbus?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Columbus, with an estimated rate of 500.7 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 64% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (788 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (204 per 100K) in Columbus, which is consistent with national trends.