Is Prior Lake or St. Paul Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Prior Lake is safer than St. Paul (Safety Score 67/100 vs 13/100), with a total crime rate of 1,179 per 100,000 versus 3,452 for St. Paul — 66% lower. Prior Lake has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Prior Lake has a 94% 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.
Prior Lake — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
St. Paul — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Prior Lake, MN
St. Paul, MN
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Prior Lake | St. Paul | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,178.9 | 3,452.1 | -2,273.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 106.5 | 618.0 | -511.5 |
| Murder Rate | 3.6 | 8.6 | -5.0 |
| Rape Rate | 32.0 | 65.8 | -33.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 7.1 | 119.1 | -112.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 63.9 | 424.3 | -360.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,072.3 | 2,834.1 | -1,761.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 63.9 | 468.3 | -404.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 955.2 | 1,883.6 | -928.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 53.3 | 482.2 | -428.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Prior Lake or St. Paul safer?
Prior Lake is safer with a total crime rate of 1,179 per 100K vs 3,452 for St. Paul — a 66% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Prior Lake has a violent crime rate of 106.5 per 100K while St. Paul has 618.0. Prior Lake has lower violent crime.
About Prior Lake, MN
Prior Lake, Minnesota, a southern suburb of Minneapolis, is named for its large lake and is home to the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community. It's a growing, affluent community with a median household income significantly above the state average. With a safety score of 67/100 and a population coverage of 28,163, Prior Lake has a total crime rate of 1,178.9 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.