Is North Branch or Rochester Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, North Branch is safer than Rochester (Safety Score 98/100 vs 55/100), with a total crime rate of 264 per 100,000 versus 1,522 for Rochester — 83% lower. North Branch has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where North Branch has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Rochester is 10.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
North Branch — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Rochester — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
North Branch, MN
Rochester, MN
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | North Branch | Rochester | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 263.7 | 1,522.5 | -1,258.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 107.1 | 154.0 | -46.9 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 4.1 | -4.1 |
| Rape Rate | 16.5 | 26.1 | -9.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 26.1 | -26.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 90.6 | 97.8 | -7.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 156.6 | 1,368.5 | -1,211.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 33.0 | 173.6 | -140.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 115.4 | 1,103.6 | -988.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 8.2 | 91.3 | -83.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is North Branch or Rochester safer?
North Branch is safer with a total crime rate of 264 per 100K vs 1,522 for Rochester — a 83% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
North Branch has a violent crime rate of 107.1 per 100K while Rochester has 154.0. North Branch has lower violent crime.
About North Branch, MN
North Branch, Minnesota, a city in Chisago County, boasts a rich history as a former logging community. Its population of over 11,000 residents enjoys a suburban lifestyle situated along I-35. With a safety score of 98/100 and a population coverage of 12,137, North Branch has a total crime rate of 263.7 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.