Is Hartford or Madison Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Hartford is safer than Madison (Safety Score 81/100 vs 37/100), with a total crime rate of 821 per 100,000 versus 2,121 for Madison — 61% lower. Hartford has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Hartford has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Madison is 17.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Hartford — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Madison — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Hartford, WI
Madison, WI
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Hartford | Madison | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 820.9 | 2,121.3 | -1,300.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 131.6 | 256.3 | -124.8 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.5 | -2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 62.7 | 26.6 | +36.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 33.7 | -33.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 68.9 | 193.2 | -124.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 689.3 | 1,865.0 | -1,175.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 31.3 | 158.5 | -127.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 645.4 | 1,595.5 | -950.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 12.5 | 111.0 | -98.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hartford or Madison safer?
Hartford is safer with a total crime rate of 821 per 100K vs 2,121 for Madison — a 61% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Hartford has a violent crime rate of 131.6 per 100K while Madison has 256.3. Hartford has lower violent crime.
About Hartford, WI
Hartford, Wisconsin, once known for its Kissel Motor Car Company, is a city of over 15,000 residents in Washington and Dodge counties. It sits along the Rubicon River, offering a mix of residential and light industrial areas. With a safety score of 81/100 and a population coverage of 15,959, Hartford has a total crime rate of 820.9 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.