Is Rochester or Winona Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Rochester is safer than Winona (Safety Score 55/100 vs 29/100), with a total crime rate of 1,522 per 100,000 versus 2,484 for Winona — 39% lower. Rochester has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Winona has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Rochester is 4.7x 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
Winona — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Rochester, MN
Winona, MN
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Rochester | Winona | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,522.5 | 2,484.2 | -961.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 154.0 | 188.1 | -34.1 |
| Murder Rate | 4.1 | 0.0 | +4.1 |
| Rape Rate | 26.1 | 57.6 | -31.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 26.1 | 3.8 | +22.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 97.8 | 126.7 | -28.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,368.5 | 2,296.0 | -927.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 173.6 | 207.3 | -33.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,103.6 | 1,992.7 | -889.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 91.3 | 96.0 | -4.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rochester or Winona safer?
Rochester is safer with a total crime rate of 1,522 per 100K vs 2,484 for Winona — a 39% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Rochester has a violent crime rate of 154.0 per 100K while Winona has 188.1. 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 Winona, MN
Winona, Minnesota, a city of 26,000, sits on the Mississippi River, nestled against blithering limestone bluffs. It's home to Winona State University, the first public university in Minnesota. With a safety score of 29/100 and a population coverage of 26,045, Winona has a total crime rate of 2,484.2 per 100,000 residents.