Is La Crosse or Madison Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Madison is safer than La Crosse (Safety Score 37/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 2,121 per 100,000 versus 4,103 for La Crosse — 48% lower. La Crosse has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where Madison has a 50% lower rate.
Note: Madison is 5.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
La Crosse — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Madison — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
La Crosse, WI
Madison, WI
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | La Crosse | Madison | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,102.7 | 2,121.3 | +1,981.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 391.0 | 256.3 | +134.7 |
| Murder Rate | 2.0 | 2.5 | -0.5 |
| Rape Rate | 78.6 | 26.6 | +52.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 25.5 | 33.7 | -8.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 284.9 | 193.2 | +91.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,711.7 | 1,865.0 | +1,846.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 279.0 | 158.5 | +120.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,269.6 | 1,595.5 | +1,674.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 163.1 | 111.0 | +52.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is La Crosse or Madison safer?
Madison is safer with a total crime rate of 2,121 per 100K vs 4,103 for La Crosse — a 48% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
La Crosse has a violent crime rate of 391.0 per 100K while Madison has 256.3. Madison has lower violent crime.
About La Crosse, WI
Nestled on the Mississippi River, La Crosse, Wisconsin, is home to Oktoberfest USA. This city of roughly 52,000 residents lies in a unique bluffland topography. With a safety score of 8/100 and a population coverage of 50,893, La Crosse has a total crime rate of 4,102.7 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.