Is St. Paul or West St. Paul Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, St. Paul is safer than West St. Paul (Safety Score 13/100 vs 6/100), with a total crime rate of 3,452 per 100,000 versus 4,465 for West St. Paul — 23% lower. St. Paul has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where West St. Paul has a 100% lower rate.
Note: St. Paul is 13.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
St. Paul — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
West St. Paul — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
St. Paul, MN
West St. Paul, MN
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | St. Paul | West St. Paul | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,452.1 | 4,464.9 | -1,012.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 618.0 | 162.7 | +455.3 |
| Murder Rate | 8.6 | 0.0 | +8.6 |
| Rape Rate | 65.8 | 45.2 | +20.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 119.1 | 31.6 | +87.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 424.3 | 85.9 | +338.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,834.1 | 4,302.2 | -1,468.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 468.3 | 709.5 | -241.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,883.6 | 3,344.2 | -1,460.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 482.2 | 248.6 | +233.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is St. Paul or West St. Paul safer?
St. Paul is safer with a total crime rate of 3,452 per 100K vs 4,465 for West St. Paul — a 23% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
St. Paul has a violent crime rate of 618.0 per 100K while West St. Paul has 162.7. West St. Paul has lower violent crime.
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.
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.