Moving from Madison, WI to Milwaukee, WI?
The Moving Checklist Planner turns your move-in date into a dated checklist, packing inventory and budget — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.
Is Madison, WI or Milwaukee, WI Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Madison, WI is safer than Milwaukee, WI (Safety Score 37/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 2,121 per 100,000 versus 4,135 for Milwaukee, WI — 49% lower. Madison has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Madison has a 90% lower rate.
Quiz: which of these is SAFER than Madison, WI?
Madison — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Milwaukee — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Madison, WI
Milwaukee, WI
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Madison | Milwaukee | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,121.3 | 4,135.0 | -2,013.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 256.3 | 1,434.3 | -1,178.0 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 23.9 | -21.4 |
| Rape Rate | 26.6 | 68.2 | -41.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 33.7 | 308.2 | -274.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 193.2 | 1,030.7 | -837.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,865.0 | 2,700.7 | -835.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 158.5 | 388.1 | -229.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,595.5 | 1,255.1 | +340.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 111.0 | 1,057.4 | -946.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Moving from Madison, WI to Milwaukee, WI?
The Moving Checklist Planner turns your move-in date into a dated checklist, packing inventory and budget — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Madison or Milwaukee safer?
Madison, WI is safer with a total crime rate of 2,121 per 100K vs 4,135 for Milwaukee, WI — a 49% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Madison has a violent crime rate of 256.3 per 100K while Milwaukee has 1,434.3. Madison has lower violent crime.
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.
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.