Is Albert Lea or St. Paul Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Albert Lea is safer than St. Paul (Safety Score 50/100 vs 13/100), with a total crime rate of 1,698 per 100,000 versus 3,452 for St. Paul — 51% lower. Albert Lea has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Albert Lea has a 100% lower rate.
Note: St. Paul is 16.7x 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
St. Paul — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Albert Lea, MN
St. Paul, MN
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Albert Lea | St. Paul | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,698.4 | 3,452.1 | -1,753.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 208.9 | 618.0 | -409.1 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 8.6 | -8.6 |
| Rape Rate | 11.0 | 65.8 | -54.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 27.5 | 119.1 | -91.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 170.4 | 424.3 | -253.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,489.5 | 2,834.1 | -1,344.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 313.3 | 468.3 | -155.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,071.8 | 1,883.6 | -811.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 104.4 | 482.2 | -377.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Albert Lea or St. Paul safer?
Albert Lea is safer with a total crime rate of 1,698 per 100K vs 3,452 for St. Paul — a 51% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Albert Lea has a violent crime rate of 208.9 per 100K while St. Paul has 618.0. Albert Lea 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 St. Paul, MN
St. Paul, Minnesota, is the state capital, known for its historic Summit Avenue. This city, one of the "Twin Cities," sits on the Mississippi River, with a diverse population of over 300,000 residents. With a safety score of 13/100 and a population coverage of 304,051, St. Paul has a total crime rate of 3,452.1 per 100,000 residents.