Missoula, MT Crime Rate & Safety

Missoula, MT has a crime safety grade of A- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 46% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 447 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 71 chance for property crime. Missoula has lower crime than 86% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).

Missoula is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of A-. Approximately 100% of the city's 27 neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. For example, Miller Creek is one of the safest areas, while Westside has higher crime rates. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Missoula is strongly recommended.

Based on 2026 crime data, the safest neighborhoods in Missoula are Miller Creek, University of Montana, South 39th Street, Wye, and Piltzville. These areas have significantly lower crime rates than the city average and are popular choices for families, professionals, and anyone prioritizing safety.

The neighborhoods with the highest crime rates in Missoula include Westside, Heart of Missoula, Northside, Lewis & Clark, and River Road. These areas experience significantly more crime than the city average. Visitors and prospective residents should exercise extra caution in these neighborhoods, particularly at night.

The estimated violent crime rate in Missoula is 223.5 per 100,000 residents, which is 41% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 447 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 3.0 per 100K (39% below average); aggravated assault at 153.9 per 100K (43% below average); robbery at 46.4 per 100K (37% below average).

The estimated property crime rate in Missoula is 1,413.4 per 100,000 residents, which is 23% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 71 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 153.4 per 100K (43% below average); larceny/theft at 1,037.7 per 100K (26% below average); vehicle theft at 222.3 per 100K (30% below average).

Missoula's overall crime rate is 46% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (26% below average), while assault is 43% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Missoula has lower crime than 86% of them.

Missoula is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 23% 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. Popular, safer areas for visitors include Miller Creek, University of Montana, South 39th Street.

Montana as a whole has crime that is 23% above the national average. Missoula's crime rate is 46% below the national average, making it safer the typical Montana city.

Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Missoula, with an estimated rate of 1,037.7 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 26% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,413 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (224 per 100K) in Missoula, which is consistent with national trends.