Is Columbia Heights or Rochester Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Rochester is safer than Columbia Heights (Safety Score 55/100 vs 28/100), with a total crime rate of 1,522 per 100,000 versus 2,506 for Columbia Heights — 39% lower. Columbia Heights has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Columbia Heights has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Rochester is 5.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Columbia Heights — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Rochester — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Columbia Heights, MN
Rochester, MN
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Columbia Heights | Rochester | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,506.3 | 1,522.5 | +983.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 321.3 | 154.0 | +167.3 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 4.1 | -4.1 |
| Rape Rate | 68.6 | 26.1 | +42.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 72.8 | 26.1 | +46.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 179.9 | 97.8 | +82.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,185.0 | 1,368.5 | +816.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 171.4 | 173.6 | -2.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,568.1 | 1,103.6 | +464.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 445.6 | 91.3 | +354.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Columbia Heights or Rochester safer?
Rochester is safer with a total crime rate of 1,522 per 100K vs 2,506 for Columbia Heights — a 39% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Columbia Heights has a violent crime rate of 321.3 per 100K while Rochester has 154.0. Rochester has lower violent crime.
About Columbia Heights, MN
Columbia Heights, Minnesota, once known for its streetcar lines, is a first-ring suburb north of Minneapolis. This city, primarily residential, has a diverse population with a significant portion of residents identifying as Hispanic or Latino. With a safety score of 28/100 and a population coverage of 23,341, Columbia Heights has a total crime rate of 2,506.3 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.