Is Franklin or Madison Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Franklin is safer than Madison (Safety Score 64/100 vs 37/100), with a total crime rate of 1,258 per 100,000 versus 2,121 for Madison — 41% lower. Franklin has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Franklin has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Madison is 7.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Franklin — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Madison — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Franklin, WI
Madison, WI
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Franklin | Madison | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,257.9 | 2,121.3 | -863.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 50.7 | 256.3 | -205.7 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.5 | -2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 16.9 | 26.6 | -9.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 5.6 | 33.7 | -28.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 28.1 | 193.2 | -165.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,207.3 | 1,865.0 | -657.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 59.1 | 158.5 | -99.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,069.4 | 1,595.5 | -526.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 78.8 | 111.0 | -32.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Franklin or Madison safer?
Franklin is safer with a total crime rate of 1,258 per 100K vs 2,121 for Madison — a 41% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Franklin has a violent crime rate of 50.7 per 100K while Madison has 256.3. Franklin has lower violent crime.
About Franklin, WI
Franklin, Wisconsin, a Milwaukee suburb, was incorporated in 1956. This city in southeastern Wisconsin is known for its many parks and recreational areas, and its population is predominantly white. With a safety score of 64/100 and a population coverage of 35,535, Franklin has a total crime rate of 1,257.9 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.