Is Owatonna or Rochester Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Owatonna is safer than Rochester (Safety Score 76/100 vs 55/100), with a total crime rate of 971 per 100,000 versus 1,522 for Rochester — 36% lower. Owatonna has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Owatonna has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Rochester is 4.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Owatonna — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Rochester — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Owatonna, MN
Rochester, MN
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Owatonna | Rochester | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 970.9 | 1,522.5 | -551.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 150.5 | 154.0 | -3.5 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 4.1 | -4.1 |
| Rape Rate | 37.6 | 26.1 | +11.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 7.5 | 26.1 | -18.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 105.4 | 97.8 | +7.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 820.4 | 1,368.5 | -548.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 109.1 | 173.6 | -64.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 624.7 | 1,103.6 | -478.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 86.6 | 91.3 | -4.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Owatonna or Rochester safer?
Owatonna is safer with a total crime rate of 971 per 100K vs 1,522 for Rochester — a 36% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Owatonna has a violent crime rate of 150.5 per 100K while Rochester has 154.0. Owatonna has lower violent crime.
About Owatonna, MN
Owatonna, Minnesota, a city of about 26,000 residents in Steele County, is home to the National Farmers' Bank, a Louis Sullivan-designed architectural masterpiece. Situated at the confluence of the Straight and Maple Rivers, its economy has historical roots in agriculture and manufacturing. With a safety score of 76/100 and a population coverage of 26,573, Owatonna has a total crime rate of 970.9 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.