Is Bemidji or Rochester Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Rochester is safer than Bemidji (Safety Score 55/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 1,522 per 100,000 versus 5,400 for Bemidji — 72% lower. Bemidji has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Bemidji has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Rochester is 7.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Bemidji — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Rochester — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bemidji, MN
Rochester, MN
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Bemidji | Rochester | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,399.6 | 1,522.5 | +3,877.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 813.7 | 154.0 | +659.7 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 4.1 | -4.1 |
| Rape Rate | 208.2 | 26.1 | +182.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 82.0 | 26.1 | +55.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 523.6 | 97.8 | +425.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,585.9 | 1,368.5 | +3,217.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 353.3 | 173.6 | +179.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 4,049.7 | 1,103.6 | +2,946.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 182.9 | 91.3 | +91.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bemidji or Rochester safer?
Rochester is safer with a total crime rate of 1,522 per 100K vs 5,400 for Bemidji — a 72% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Bemidji has a violent crime rate of 813.7 per 100K while Rochester has 154.0. Rochester has lower violent crime.
About Bemidji, MN
Bemidji, Minnesota, "First City on the Mississippi," is a northern Minnesota hub. This city of 15,000 is home to Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox statues, reflecting its logging heritage. With a safety score of 3/100 and a population coverage of 15,853, Bemidji has a total crime rate of 5,399.6 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.