Is Oakdale or St. Paul Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Oakdale is safer than St. Paul (Safety Score 42/100 vs 13/100), with a total crime rate of 1,942 per 100,000 versus 3,452 for St. Paul — 44% lower. Oakdale has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Oakdale has a 100% lower rate.
Note: St. Paul is 10.8x 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
St. Paul — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Oakdale, MN
St. Paul, MN
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Oakdale | St. Paul | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,942.3 | 3,452.1 | -1,509.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 180.8 | 618.0 | -437.2 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 8.6 | -8.6 |
| Rape Rate | 21.3 | 65.8 | -44.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 46.1 | 119.1 | -73.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 113.4 | 424.3 | -310.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,761.5 | 2,834.1 | -1,072.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 152.4 | 468.3 | -315.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,506.3 | 1,883.6 | -377.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 102.8 | 482.2 | -379.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Oakdale or St. Paul safer?
Oakdale is safer with a total crime rate of 1,942 per 100K vs 3,452 for St. Paul — a 44% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Oakdale has a violent crime rate of 180.8 per 100K while St. Paul has 618.0. Oakdale 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 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.