Is Oakdale or Rochester Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Rochester is safer than Oakdale (Safety Score 55/100 vs 42/100), with a total crime rate of 1,522 per 100,000 versus 1,942 for Oakdale — 22% lower. Oakdale has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Oakdale has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Rochester is 4.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Oakdale — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Rochester — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Oakdale, MN
Rochester, MN
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Oakdale | Rochester | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,942.3 | 1,522.5 | +419.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 180.8 | 154.0 | +26.7 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 4.1 | -4.1 |
| Rape Rate | 21.3 | 26.1 | -4.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 46.1 | 26.1 | +20.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 113.4 | 97.8 | +15.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,761.5 | 1,368.5 | +393.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 152.4 | 173.6 | -21.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,506.3 | 1,103.6 | +402.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 102.8 | 91.3 | +11.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Oakdale or Rochester safer?
Rochester is safer with a total crime rate of 1,522 per 100K vs 1,942 for Oakdale — a 22% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Oakdale has a violent crime rate of 180.8 per 100K while Rochester has 154.0. Rochester has lower violent crime.
About Oakdale, MN
Oakdale, Minnesota, a suburb east of Saint Paul, was once home to a significant portion of the Twin Cities' dairy farms. Its population of over 28,000 residents is generally considered middle to upper-middle class. With a safety score of 42/100 and a population coverage of 28,214, Oakdale has a total crime rate of 1,942.3 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.