Is Duluth or St. Paul Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Duluth is safer than St. Paul (Safety Score 17/100 vs 13/100), with a total crime rate of 3,175 per 100,000 versus 3,452 for St. Paul — 8% lower. Duluth has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Duluth has a 69% lower rate.
Note: St. Paul is 3.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Duluth — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
St. Paul — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Duluth, MN
St. Paul, MN
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Duluth | St. Paul | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,174.9 | 3,452.1 | -277.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 220.5 | 618.0 | -397.5 |
| Murder Rate | 8.0 | 8.6 | -0.6 |
| Rape Rate | 46.6 | 65.8 | -19.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 37.5 | 119.1 | -81.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 127.3 | 424.3 | -297.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,954.4 | 2,834.1 | +120.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 275.0 | 468.3 | -193.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,555.6 | 1,883.6 | +672.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 123.9 | 482.2 | -358.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Duluth or St. Paul safer?
Duluth is safer with a total crime rate of 3,175 per 100K vs 3,452 for St. Paul — a 8% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Duluth has a violent crime rate of 220.5 per 100K while St. Paul has 618.0. Duluth has lower violent crime.
About Duluth, MN
Duluth, a port city on Lake Superior, boasts the world's longest freshwater sandbar, Park Point. Its economy historically tied to shipping and steel, the city is a regional hub for healthcare and higher education, home to over 86,000 residents. With a safety score of 17/100 and a population coverage of 88,003, Duluth has a total crime rate of 3,174.9 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.