Is Rochester or St. Paul Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Rochester is safer than St. Paul (Safety Score 55/100 vs 13/100), with a total crime rate of 1,522 per 100,000 versus 3,452 for St. Paul — 56% lower. Rochester has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Rochester has a 78% lower rate.
Note: St. Paul is 2.5x 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
St. Paul — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Rochester, MN
St. Paul, MN
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Rochester | St. Paul | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,522.5 | 3,452.1 | -1,929.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 154.0 | 618.0 | -464.0 |
| Murder Rate | 4.1 | 8.6 | -4.5 |
| Rape Rate | 26.1 | 65.8 | -39.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 26.1 | 119.1 | -93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 97.8 | 424.3 | -326.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,368.5 | 2,834.1 | -1,465.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 173.6 | 468.3 | -294.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,103.6 | 1,883.6 | -780.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 91.3 | 482.2 | -390.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rochester or St. Paul safer?
Rochester is safer with a total crime rate of 1,522 per 100K vs 3,452 for St. Paul — a 56% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Rochester has a violent crime rate of 154.0 per 100K while St. Paul has 618.0. 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 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.