Is Madison or Pleasant Prairie Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Pleasant Prairie is safer than Madison (Safety Score 60/100 vs 37/100), with a total crime rate of 1,392 per 100,000 versus 2,121 for Madison — 34% lower. Madison has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Madison has a 73% lower rate.
Note: Madison is 12.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Madison — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Pleasant Prairie — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Madison, WI
Pleasant Prairie, WI
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Madison | Pleasant Prairie | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,121.3 | 1,392.1 | +729.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 256.3 | 313.9 | -57.6 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 9.1 | -6.6 |
| Rape Rate | 26.6 | 9.1 | +17.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 33.7 | 13.7 | +20.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 193.2 | 282.1 | -88.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,865.0 | 1,078.2 | +786.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 158.5 | 54.6 | +103.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,595.5 | 973.6 | +621.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 111.0 | 50.0 | +60.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Madison or Pleasant Prairie safer?
Pleasant Prairie is safer with a total crime rate of 1,392 per 100K vs 2,121 for Madison — a 34% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Madison has a violent crime rate of 256.3 per 100K while Pleasant Prairie has 313.9. 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 Pleasant Prairie, WI
Pleasant Prairie, a southeastern Wisconsin village, blends suburban development with natural areas near Lake Michigan. Once primarily agricultural, it's now home to roughly 20,000 residents and a significant commercial presence. With a safety score of 60/100 and a population coverage of 21,981, Pleasant Prairie has a total crime rate of 1,392.1 per 100,000 residents.