Is Rochester or West St. Paul Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Rochester is safer than West St. Paul (Safety Score 55/100 vs 6/100), with a total crime rate of 1,522 per 100,000 versus 4,465 for West St. Paul — 66% lower. Rochester has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where West St. Paul has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Rochester is 5.5x 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
West St. Paul — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Rochester, MN
West St. Paul, MN
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Rochester | West St. Paul | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,522.5 | 4,464.9 | -2,942.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 154.0 | 162.7 | -8.7 |
| Murder Rate | 4.1 | 0.0 | +4.1 |
| Rape Rate | 26.1 | 45.2 | -19.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 26.1 | 31.6 | -5.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 97.8 | 85.9 | +11.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,368.5 | 4,302.2 | -2,933.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 173.6 | 709.5 | -535.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,103.6 | 3,344.2 | -2,240.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 91.3 | 248.6 | -157.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rochester or West St. Paul safer?
Rochester is safer with a total crime rate of 1,522 per 100K vs 4,465 for West St. Paul — a 66% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Rochester has a violent crime rate of 154.0 per 100K while West St. Paul has 162.7. 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 West St. Paul, MN
West St. Paul, a first-ring suburb south of St. Paul, is home to a diverse population of over 20,000. Historically, it was known for its fertile farmlands and truck gardens, supplying produce to the urban core. Today, Robert Street remains a bustling commercial corridor. With a safety score of 6/100 and a population coverage of 22,128, West St. Paul has a total crime rate of 4,464.9 per 100,000 residents.