Is Rochester or White Bear Lake Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, White Bear Lake is safer than Rochester (Safety Score 59/100 vs 55/100), with a total crime rate of 1,411 per 100,000 versus 1,522 for Rochester — 7% lower. Rochester has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where White Bear Lake has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Rochester is 5.3x 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
White Bear Lake — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Rochester, MN
White Bear Lake, MN
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Rochester | White Bear Lake | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,522.5 | 1,410.9 | +111.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 154.0 | 86.6 | +67.5 |
| Murder Rate | 4.1 | 0.0 | +4.1 |
| Rape Rate | 26.1 | 17.3 | +8.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 26.1 | 8.7 | +17.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 97.8 | 60.6 | +37.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,368.5 | 1,324.3 | +44.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 173.6 | 155.8 | +17.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,103.6 | 1,012.7 | +90.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 91.3 | 155.8 | -64.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rochester or White Bear Lake safer?
White Bear Lake is safer with a total crime rate of 1,411 per 100K vs 1,522 for Rochester — a 7% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Rochester has a violent crime rate of 154.0 per 100K while White Bear Lake has 86.6. White Bear Lake 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 White Bear Lake, MN
White Bear Lake, a city named for a Dakota legend, sits on the shores of its namesake lake northeast of St. Paul. This Ramsey County community, once a popular resort town, is now home to over 25,000 residents. With a safety score of 59/100 and a population coverage of 23,106, White Bear Lake has a total crime rate of 1,410.9 per 100,000 residents.