Is Rochester or South St. Paul Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Rochester is safer than South St. Paul (Safety Score 55/100 vs 51/100), with a total crime rate of 1,522 per 100,000 versus 1,671 for South St. Paul — 9% lower. Rochester has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where South St. Paul has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Rochester is 5.9x 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
South St. Paul — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Rochester, MN
South St. Paul, MN
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Rochester | South St. Paul | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,522.5 | 1,670.9 | -148.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 154.0 | 348.7 | -194.7 |
| Murder Rate | 4.1 | 0.0 | +4.1 |
| Rape Rate | 26.1 | 33.9 | -7.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 26.1 | 14.5 | +11.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 97.8 | 300.3 | -202.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,368.5 | 1,322.2 | +46.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 173.6 | 145.3 | +28.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,103.6 | 1,017.1 | +86.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 91.3 | 159.8 | -68.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rochester or South St. Paul safer?
Rochester is safer with a total crime rate of 1,522 per 100K vs 1,671 for South St. Paul — a 9% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Rochester has a violent crime rate of 154.0 per 100K while South St. Paul has 348.7. Rochester 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 South St. Paul, MN
South St. Paul, once the "Cow Capital of the World," sits along the Mississippi River. This working-class city in Dakota County has a population of around 20,000. With a safety score of 51/100 and a population coverage of 20,648, South St. Paul has a total crime rate of 1,670.9 per 100,000 residents.