Is Madison or South Milwaukee Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, South Milwaukee is safer than Madison (Safety Score 58/100 vs 37/100), with a total crime rate of 1,457 per 100,000 versus 2,121 for Madison — 31% lower. Madison has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Madison has a 50% lower rate.
Note: Madison is 14.0x 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
South Milwaukee — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Madison, WI
South Milwaukee, WI
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Madison | South Milwaukee | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,121.3 | 1,457.0 | +664.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 256.3 | 158.6 | +97.8 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 5.0 | -2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 26.6 | 19.8 | +6.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 33.7 | 19.8 | +13.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 193.2 | 114.0 | +79.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,865.0 | 1,298.4 | +566.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 158.5 | 44.6 | +113.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,595.5 | 1,189.4 | +406.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 111.0 | 64.4 | +46.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Madison or South Milwaukee safer?
South Milwaukee is safer with a total crime rate of 1,457 per 100K vs 2,121 for Madison — a 31% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Madison has a violent crime rate of 256.3 per 100K while South Milwaukee has 158.6. South Milwaukee 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 South Milwaukee, WI
South Milwaukee, hugging Lake Michigan, developed around Bucyrus International, a major manufacturer. This city of roughly 20,000 residents is just south of Milwaukee proper. With a safety score of 58/100 and a population coverage of 20,178, South Milwaukee has a total crime rate of 1,457.0 per 100,000 residents.