Is Cottage Grove or Rochester Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Cottage Grove is safer than Rochester (Safety Score 84/100 vs 55/100), with a total crime rate of 721 per 100,000 versus 1,522 for Rochester — 53% lower. Cottage Grove has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Cottage Grove has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Rochester is 2.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Cottage Grove — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Rochester — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cottage Grove, MN
Rochester, MN
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cottage Grove | Rochester | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 721.1 | 1,522.5 | -801.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 39.4 | 154.0 | -114.6 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 4.1 | -4.1 |
| Rape Rate | 16.2 | 26.1 | -9.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 9.3 | 26.1 | -16.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 13.9 | 97.8 | -83.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 681.6 | 1,368.5 | -686.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 60.3 | 173.6 | -113.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 582.0 | 1,103.6 | -521.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 39.4 | 91.3 | -51.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cottage Grove or Rochester safer?
Cottage Grove is safer with a total crime rate of 721 per 100K vs 1,522 for Rochester — a 53% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cottage Grove has a violent crime rate of 39.4 per 100K while Rochester has 154.0. Cottage Grove has lower violent crime.
About Cottage Grove, MN
Cottage Grove, a Mississippi River town southeast of St. Paul, was once a thriving logging community. This Washington County suburb has grown significantly in recent decades, with a population exceeding 39,000. With a safety score of 84/100 and a population coverage of 43,131, Cottage Grove has a total crime rate of 721.1 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.