Is Buffalo or Rochester Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Buffalo is safer than Rochester (Safety Score 93/100 vs 55/100), with a total crime rate of 475 per 100,000 versus 1,522 for Rochester — 69% lower. Buffalo has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Buffalo has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Rochester is 7.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Buffalo — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Rochester — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Buffalo, MN
Rochester, MN
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Buffalo | Rochester | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 475.1 | 1,522.5 | -1,047.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 54.1 | 154.0 | -99.9 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 4.1 | -4.1 |
| Rape Rate | 12.0 | 26.1 | -14.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 26.1 | -26.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 42.1 | 97.8 | -55.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 421.0 | 1,368.5 | -947.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 18.0 | 173.6 | -155.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 396.9 | 1,103.6 | -706.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 6.0 | 91.3 | -85.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Buffalo or Rochester safer?
Buffalo is safer with a total crime rate of 475 per 100K vs 1,522 for Rochester — a 69% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Buffalo has a violent crime rate of 54.1 per 100K while Rochester has 154.0. Buffalo has lower violent crime.
About Buffalo, MN
Buffalo, Minnesota, a city named for the nearby Buffalo Lake, sits in Wright County. It serves as the county seat and is known for its annual "Polka Fest," reflecting its strong German and Scandinavian heritage. With a safety score of 93/100 and a population coverage of 16,627, Buffalo has a total crime rate of 475.1 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.