Is Indianapolis or Milwaukee Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Milwaukee is safer than Indianapolis (Safety Score 8/100 vs 7/100), with a total crime rate of 4,135 per 100,000 versus 4,214 for Indianapolis — 2% lower. Indianapolis has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Indianapolis has a 54% lower rate.
Indianapolis — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Milwaukee — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Indianapolis, IN
Milwaukee, WI
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Indianapolis | Milwaukee | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,214.4 | 4,135.0 | +79.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 878.3 | 1,434.3 | -556.0 |
| Murder Rate | 20.0 | 23.9 | -3.9 |
| Rape Rate | 59.2 | 68.2 | -9.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 143.2 | 308.2 | -165.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 655.6 | 1,030.7 | -375.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,336.1 | 2,700.7 | +635.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 517.9 | 388.1 | +129.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,072.1 | 1,255.1 | +817.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 746.1 | 1,057.4 | -311.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Indianapolis or Milwaukee safer?
Milwaukee is safer with a total crime rate of 4,135 per 100K vs 4,214 for Indianapolis — a 2% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Indianapolis has a violent crime rate of 878.3 per 100K while Milwaukee has 1,434.3. Indianapolis has lower violent crime.
About Indianapolis, IN
About Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee, a city on Lake Michigan's western shore, boasts a rich brewing heritage and a diverse population. Its industrial past is evident in its architecture and strong community ties. With a safety score of 8/100 and a population coverage of 560,416, Milwaukee has a total crime rate of 4,135.0 per 100,000 residents.