Is Rochester or Stillwater Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Stillwater is safer than Rochester (Safety Score 76/100 vs 55/100), with a total crime rate of 949 per 100,000 versus 1,522 for Rochester — 38% lower. Rochester has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Stillwater has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Rochester is 6.4x 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
Stillwater — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Rochester, MN
Stillwater, MN
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Rochester | Stillwater | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,522.5 | 948.7 | +573.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 154.0 | 83.4 | +70.6 |
| Murder Rate | 4.1 | 0.0 | +4.1 |
| Rape Rate | 26.1 | 41.7 | -15.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 26.1 | 5.2 | +20.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 97.8 | 36.5 | +61.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,368.5 | 865.3 | +503.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 173.6 | 57.3 | +116.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,103.6 | 766.2 | +337.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 91.3 | 41.7 | +49.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rochester or Stillwater safer?
Stillwater is safer with a total crime rate of 949 per 100K vs 1,522 for Rochester — a 38% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Rochester has a violent crime rate of 154.0 per 100K while Stillwater has 83.4. Stillwater 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 Stillwater, MN
Stillwater, Minnesota, a historic river town on the St. Croix, is known as the birthplace of Minnesota. Its scenic bluffs attract a predominantly white, affluent population. With a safety score of 76/100 and a population coverage of 19,185, Stillwater has a total crime rate of 948.7 per 100,000 residents.