Is Appleton or Madison Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Appleton is safer than Madison (Safety Score 55/100 vs 37/100), with a total crime rate of 1,549 per 100,000 versus 2,121 for Madison — 27% lower. Appleton has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Appleton has a 72% lower rate.
Note: Madison is 3.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Appleton — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Madison — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Appleton, WI
Madison, WI
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Appleton | Madison | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,548.5 | 2,121.3 | -572.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 201.6 | 256.3 | -54.7 |
| Murder Rate | 2.7 | 2.5 | +0.2 |
| Rape Rate | 52.4 | 26.6 | +25.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 9.4 | 33.7 | -24.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 137.1 | 193.2 | -56.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,346.9 | 1,865.0 | -518.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 153.2 | 158.5 | -5.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,130.5 | 1,595.5 | -465.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 63.2 | 111.0 | -47.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Appleton or Madison safer?
Appleton is safer with a total crime rate of 1,549 per 100K vs 2,121 for Madison — a 27% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Appleton has a violent crime rate of 201.6 per 100K while Madison has 256.3. Appleton has lower violent crime.
About Appleton, WI
Appleton, a Fox Cities community along the Fox River in Northeast Wisconsin, is known for being Harry Houdini's childhood home. This city of over 75,000 residents is a regional hub for healthcare and paper manufacturing. With a safety score of 55/100 and a population coverage of 74,394, Appleton has a total crime rate of 1,548.5 per 100,000 residents.
About Madison, WI
Madison, the capital of Wisconsin, sits on an isthmus between two lakes, Mendota and Monona. Home to the University of Wisconsin-Madison, it's known for its progressive politics and vibrant student culture. With a safety score of 37/100 and a population coverage of 282,045, Madison has a total crime rate of 2,121.3 per 100,000 residents.