Is Columbia Heights or St. Paul Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Columbia Heights is safer than St. Paul (Safety Score 28/100 vs 13/100), with a total crime rate of 2,506 per 100,000 versus 3,452 for St. Paul — 27% lower. Columbia Heights has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Columbia Heights has a 100% lower rate.
Note: St. Paul is 13.0x 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
St. Paul — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Columbia Heights, MN
St. Paul, MN
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Columbia Heights | St. Paul | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,506.3 | 3,452.1 | -945.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 321.3 | 618.0 | -296.7 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 8.6 | -8.6 |
| Rape Rate | 68.6 | 65.8 | +2.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 72.8 | 119.1 | -46.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 179.9 | 424.3 | -244.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,185.0 | 2,834.1 | -649.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 171.4 | 468.3 | -297.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,568.1 | 1,883.6 | -315.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 445.6 | 482.2 | -36.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Columbia Heights or St. Paul safer?
Columbia Heights is safer with a total crime rate of 2,506 per 100K vs 3,452 for St. Paul — a 27% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Columbia Heights has a violent crime rate of 321.3 per 100K while St. Paul has 618.0. Columbia Heights 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 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.