Rochester, MN Crime Rate & Safety

Rochester, MN has a crime safety grade of B as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 33% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 389 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 59 chance for property crime. Rochester has lower crime than 68% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).

Rochester is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of B. Approximately 100% of the city's 51 neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. For example, Pine Ridge is one of the safest areas, while Kutzky Park has higher crime rates. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Rochester is strongly recommended.

Based on 2026 crime data, the safest neighborhoods in Rochester are Pine Ridge, South Pointe Drive SW, Bamberwood, Hart Farms, and Apple Hill. These areas have significantly lower crime rates than the city average and are popular choices for families, professionals, and anyone prioritizing safety.

The neighborhoods with the highest crime rates in Rochester include Kutzky Park, Downtown, Lowertown, Oak Terrace / Parkside, and Washington. These areas experience significantly more crime than the city average. Visitors and prospective residents should exercise extra caution in these neighborhoods, particularly at night.

The estimated violent crime rate in Rochester is 257.2 per 100,000 residents, which is 32% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 389 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 3.7 per 100K (25% below average); aggravated assault at 174.0 per 100K (35% below average); robbery at 51.8 per 100K (30% below average).

The estimated property crime rate in Rochester is 1,703.5 per 100,000 residents, which is 7% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 59 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 212.9 per 100K (21% below average); larceny/theft at 1,216.7 per 100K (13% below average); vehicle theft at 273.9 per 100K (14% below average).

Rochester's overall crime rate is 33% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (13% below average), while assault is 35% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Rochester has lower crime than 68% of them.

Rochester is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 7% below average, which is typically the main concern for tourists. Avoid leaving valuables in vehicles, stay aware of your surroundings in unfamiliar areas, and stick to well-traveled neighborhoods. Popular, safer areas for visitors include Pine Ridge, South Pointe Drive SW, Bamberwood.

Minnesota as a whole has crime that is 12% above the national average. Rochester's crime rate is 33% below the national average, making it safer the typical Minnesota city.

Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Rochester, with an estimated rate of 1,216.7 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 13% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,704 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (257 per 100K) in Rochester, which is consistent with national trends.