Is Minneapolis or West St. Paul Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, West St. Paul is safer than Minneapolis (Safety Score 6/100 vs 1/100), with a total crime rate of 4,465 per 100,000 versus 6,305 for Minneapolis — 29% lower. Minneapolis has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where West St. Paul has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Minneapolis is 19.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Minneapolis — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
West St. Paul — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Minneapolis, MN
West St. Paul, MN
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Minneapolis | West St. Paul | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 6,304.5 | 4,464.9 | +1,839.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,161.6 | 162.7 | +999.0 |
| Murder Rate | 18.0 | 0.0 | +18.0 |
| Rape Rate | 89.1 | 45.2 | +43.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 371.9 | 31.6 | +340.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 681.3 | 85.9 | +595.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 5,142.9 | 4,302.2 | +840.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 618.7 | 709.5 | -90.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,977.5 | 3,344.2 | -366.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 1,546.7 | 248.6 | +1,298.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Minneapolis or West St. Paul safer?
West St. Paul is safer with a total crime rate of 4,465 per 100K vs 6,305 for Minneapolis — a 29% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Minneapolis has a violent crime rate of 1,161.6 per 100K while West St. Paul has 162.7. West St. Paul has lower violent crime.
About Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis, Minnesota, a city bisected by the Mississippi River, boasts a vibrant arts scene, home to the iconic Guthrie Theater. Its diverse population is concentrated in a landscape of lakes and parks. With a safety score of 1/100 and a population coverage of 423,282, Minneapolis has a total crime rate of 6,304.5 per 100,000 residents.
About West St. Paul, MN
West St. Paul, a first-ring suburb south of St. Paul, is home to a diverse population of over 20,000. Historically, it was known for its fertile farmlands and truck gardens, supplying produce to the urban core. Today, Robert Street remains a bustling commercial corridor. With a safety score of 6/100 and a population coverage of 22,128, West St. Paul has a total crime rate of 4,464.9 per 100,000 residents.