Is Grand Rapids or Rochester Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Grand Rapids is safer than Rochester (Safety Score 69/100 vs 55/100), with a total crime rate of 1,121 per 100,000 versus 1,522 for Rochester — 26% lower. Grand Rapids has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Grand Rapids has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Rochester is 10.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Grand Rapids — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Rochester — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Grand Rapids, MN
Rochester, MN
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Grand Rapids | Rochester | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,120.6 | 1,522.5 | -401.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 88.2 | 154.0 | -65.8 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 4.1 | -4.1 |
| Rape Rate | 8.8 | 26.1 | -17.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 26.1 | -26.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 79.4 | 97.8 | -18.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,032.4 | 1,368.5 | -336.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 17.7 | 173.6 | -156.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,014.7 | 1,103.6 | -88.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 0.0 | 91.3 | -91.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Grand Rapids or Rochester safer?
Grand Rapids is safer with a total crime rate of 1,121 per 100K vs 1,522 for Rochester — a 26% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Grand Rapids has a violent crime rate of 88.2 per 100K while Rochester has 154.0. Grand Rapids has lower violent crime.
About Grand Rapids, MN
Grand Rapids, Minnesota, a city of 11,000 in Itasca County, is home to the Forest History Center. Known as the birthplace of Judy Garland, it sits on the Mississippi River, surrounded by lakes and forests. With a safety score of 69/100 and a population coverage of 11,333, Grand Rapids has a total crime rate of 1,120.6 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.