Is Big Lake or Rochester Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Big Lake is safer than Rochester (Safety Score 93/100 vs 55/100), with a total crime rate of 473 per 100,000 versus 1,522 for Rochester — 69% lower. Big Lake has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Big Lake has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Rochester is 9.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Big Lake — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Rochester — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Big Lake, MN
Rochester, MN
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Big Lake | Rochester | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 472.7 | 1,522.5 | -1,049.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 131.7 | 154.0 | -22.3 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 4.1 | -4.1 |
| Rape Rate | 69.8 | 26.1 | +43.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 26.1 | -26.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 62.0 | 97.8 | -35.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 341.0 | 1,368.5 | -1,027.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 23.3 | 173.6 | -150.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 294.5 | 1,103.6 | -809.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 23.3 | 91.3 | -68.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Big Lake or Rochester safer?
Big Lake is safer with a total crime rate of 473 per 100K vs 1,522 for Rochester — a 69% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Big Lake has a violent crime rate of 131.7 per 100K while Rochester has 154.0. Big Lake has lower violent crime.
About Big Lake, MN
Big Lake, Minnesota, a city in Sherburne County, is named for the expansive lake within its borders. Once a stop on the Great Northern Railway, it is now a growing residential community situated along the Mississippi River. With a safety score of 93/100 and a population coverage of 12,904, Big Lake has a total crime rate of 472.7 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.