Is Golden Valley or Rochester Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Golden Valley is safer than Rochester (Safety Score 72/100 vs 55/100), with a total crime rate of 1,053 per 100,000 versus 1,522 for Rochester — 31% lower. Golden Valley has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Golden Valley has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Rochester is 5.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Golden Valley — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Rochester — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Golden Valley, MN
Rochester, MN
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Golden Valley | Rochester | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,052.6 | 1,522.5 | -469.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 67.3 | 154.0 | -86.8 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 4.1 | -4.1 |
| Rape Rate | 9.6 | 26.1 | -16.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 26.1 | -26.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 57.7 | 97.8 | -40.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 985.3 | 1,368.5 | -383.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 110.6 | 173.6 | -63.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 850.7 | 1,103.6 | -252.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 24.0 | 91.3 | -67.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Golden Valley or Rochester safer?
Golden Valley is safer with a total crime rate of 1,053 per 100K vs 1,522 for Rochester — a 31% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Golden Valley has a violent crime rate of 67.3 per 100K while Rochester has 154.0. Golden Valley has lower violent crime.
About Golden Valley, MN
Golden Valley, a first-ring suburb west of Minneapolis, is home to General Mills' world headquarters. Its rolling terrain and numerous parks contribute to a high quality of life for its over 22,000 residents. With a safety score of 72/100 and a population coverage of 20,806, Golden Valley has a total crime rate of 1,052.6 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.