Is Albert Lea or Rochester Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Rochester is safer than Albert Lea (Safety Score 55/100 vs 50/100), with a total crime rate of 1,522 per 100,000 versus 1,698 for Albert Lea — 10% lower. Albert Lea has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Albert Lea has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Rochester is 6.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Albert Lea — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Rochester — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Albert Lea, MN
Rochester, MN
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Albert Lea | Rochester | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,698.4 | 1,522.5 | +175.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 208.9 | 154.0 | +54.8 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 4.1 | -4.1 |
| Rape Rate | 11.0 | 26.1 | -15.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 27.5 | 26.1 | +1.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 170.4 | 97.8 | +72.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,489.5 | 1,368.5 | +121.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 313.3 | 173.6 | +139.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,071.8 | 1,103.6 | -31.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 104.4 | 91.3 | +13.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Albert Lea or Rochester safer?
Rochester is safer with a total crime rate of 1,522 per 100K vs 1,698 for Albert Lea — a 10% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Albert Lea has a violent crime rate of 208.9 per 100K while Rochester has 154.0. Rochester has lower violent crime.
About Albert Lea, MN
Albert Lea, Minnesota, is a city of about 18,000 residents in Freeborn County, named for a surveyor. It's known for its two lakes, Albert Lea Lake and Fountain Lake, and for being the birthplace of the Naeve Hospital School of Nursing. With a safety score of 50/100 and a population coverage of 18,194, Albert Lea has a total crime rate of 1,698.4 per 100,000 residents.
About Rochester, MN
Rochester, Minnesota, home to the Mayo Clinic, is a city in southeastern Minnesota. Its population of over 120,000 makes it the state's third-largest city. With a safety score of 55/100 and a population coverage of 122,694, Rochester has a total crime rate of 1,522.5 per 100,000 residents.