Is Mendota Heights or Rochester Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Mendota Heights is safer than Rochester (Safety Score 71/100 vs 55/100), with a total crime rate of 1,069 per 100,000 versus 1,522 for Rochester — 30% lower. Mendota Heights has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Mendota Heights has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Rochester is 10.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Mendota Heights — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Rochester — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Mendota Heights, MN
Rochester, MN
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Mendota Heights | Rochester | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,069.5 | 1,522.5 | -453.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 191.3 | 154.0 | +37.3 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 4.1 | -4.1 |
| Rape Rate | 52.2 | 26.1 | +26.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 8.7 | 26.1 | -17.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 130.4 | 97.8 | +32.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 878.2 | 1,368.5 | -490.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 156.5 | 173.6 | -17.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 660.8 | 1,103.6 | -442.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 60.9 | 91.3 | -30.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mendota Heights or Rochester safer?
Mendota Heights is safer with a total crime rate of 1,069 per 100K vs 1,522 for Rochester — a 30% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Mendota Heights has a violent crime rate of 191.3 per 100K while Rochester has 154.0. Rochester has lower violent crime.
About Mendota Heights, MN
Mendota Heights, a suburb south of St. Paul, is home to the historic Pilot Knob, a sacred Dakota site. This affluent community, bordered by the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers, primarily consists of single-family homes. With a safety score of 71/100 and a population coverage of 11,501, Mendota Heights has a total crime rate of 1,069.5 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.