Is Rochester or Sauk Rapids Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Sauk Rapids is safer than Rochester (Safety Score 61/100 vs 55/100), with a total crime rate of 1,376 per 100,000 versus 1,522 for Rochester — 10% lower. Rochester has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Sauk Rapids has a 72% lower rate.
Note: Rochester is 8.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Rochester — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Sauk Rapids — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Rochester, MN
Sauk Rapids, MN
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Rochester | Sauk Rapids | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,522.5 | 1,376.0 | +146.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 154.0 | 87.4 | +66.7 |
| Murder Rate | 4.1 | 7.3 | -3.2 |
| Rape Rate | 26.1 | 36.4 | -10.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 26.1 | 7.3 | +18.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 97.8 | 36.4 | +61.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,368.5 | 1,288.6 | +79.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 173.6 | 145.6 | +28.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,103.6 | 1,041.1 | +62.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 91.3 | 101.9 | -10.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rochester or Sauk Rapids safer?
Sauk Rapids is safer with a total crime rate of 1,376 per 100K vs 1,522 for Rochester — a 10% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Rochester has a violent crime rate of 154.0 per 100K while Sauk Rapids has 87.4. Sauk Rapids has lower violent crime.
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.
About Sauk Rapids, MN
Sauk Rapids, a city in Benton County, is known for its annual Granite City Days festival. Situated along the Mississippi River, it's a growing community with a blend of residential and commercial areas. With a safety score of 61/100 and a population coverage of 13,736, Sauk Rapids has a total crime rate of 1,376.0 per 100,000 residents.