Is South St. Paul or St. Paul Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, South St. Paul is safer than St. Paul (Safety Score 51/100 vs 13/100), with a total crime rate of 1,671 per 100,000 versus 3,452 for St. Paul — 52% lower. South St. Paul has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where South St. Paul has a 100% lower rate.
Note: St. Paul is 14.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
South St. Paul — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
St. Paul — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
South St. Paul, MN
St. Paul, MN
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | South St. Paul | St. Paul | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,670.9 | 3,452.1 | -1,781.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 348.7 | 618.0 | -269.3 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 8.6 | -8.6 |
| Rape Rate | 33.9 | 65.8 | -31.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 14.5 | 119.1 | -104.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 300.3 | 424.3 | -124.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,322.2 | 2,834.1 | -1,511.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 145.3 | 468.3 | -323.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,017.1 | 1,883.6 | -866.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 159.8 | 482.2 | -322.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is South St. Paul or St. Paul safer?
South St. Paul is safer with a total crime rate of 1,671 per 100K vs 3,452 for St. Paul — a 52% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
South St. Paul has a violent crime rate of 348.7 per 100K while St. Paul has 618.0. South St. Paul has lower violent crime.
About South St. Paul, MN
South St. Paul, once the "Cow Capital of the World," sits along the Mississippi River. This working-class city in Dakota County has a population of around 20,000. With a safety score of 51/100 and a population coverage of 20,648, South St. Paul has a total crime rate of 1,670.9 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.