Is Moorhead or St. Paul Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Moorhead is safer than St. Paul (Safety Score 39/100 vs 13/100), with a total crime rate of 2,041 per 100,000 versus 3,452 for St. Paul — 41% lower. Moorhead has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Moorhead has a 78% lower rate.
Note: St. Paul is 6.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Moorhead — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
St. Paul — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Moorhead, MN
St. Paul, MN
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Moorhead | St. Paul | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,040.8 | 3,452.1 | -1,411.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 365.5 | 618.0 | -252.5 |
| Murder Rate | 8.8 | 8.6 | +0.3 |
| Rape Rate | 59.4 | 65.8 | -6.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 26.4 | 119.1 | -92.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 270.8 | 424.3 | -153.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,675.3 | 2,834.1 | -1,158.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 288.4 | 468.3 | -180.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,166.8 | 1,883.6 | -716.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 220.2 | 482.2 | -262.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Moorhead or St. Paul safer?
Moorhead is safer with a total crime rate of 2,041 per 100K vs 3,452 for St. Paul — a 41% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Moorhead has a violent crime rate of 365.5 per 100K while St. Paul has 618.0. Moorhead has lower violent crime.
About Moorhead, MN
Moorhead, Minnesota, a city across the Red River from Fargo, North Dakota, is home to Concordia College. Its population of over 44,000 residents reflects a diverse mix of students and families. With a safety score of 39/100 and a population coverage of 45,424, Moorhead has a total crime rate of 2,040.8 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.