Is Cottage Grove or St. Paul Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Cottage Grove is safer than St. Paul (Safety Score 84/100 vs 13/100), with a total crime rate of 721 per 100,000 versus 3,452 for St. Paul — 79% 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: St. Paul is 7.0x 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
St. Paul — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cottage Grove, MN
St. Paul, MN
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cottage Grove | St. Paul | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 721.1 | 3,452.1 | -2,731.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 39.4 | 618.0 | -578.6 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 8.6 | -8.6 |
| Rape Rate | 16.2 | 65.8 | -49.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 9.3 | 119.1 | -109.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 13.9 | 424.3 | -410.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 681.6 | 2,834.1 | -2,152.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 60.3 | 468.3 | -408.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 582.0 | 1,883.6 | -1,301.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 39.4 | 482.2 | -442.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cottage Grove or St. Paul safer?
Cottage Grove is safer with a total crime rate of 721 per 100K vs 3,452 for St. Paul — a 79% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cottage Grove has a violent crime rate of 39.4 per 100K while St. Paul has 618.0. 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 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.