Is Madison or Sun Prairie Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Sun Prairie is safer than Madison (Safety Score 53/100 vs 37/100), with a total crime rate of 1,594 per 100,000 versus 2,121 for Madison — 25% lower. Madison has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Sun Prairie has a 77% lower rate.
Note: Madison is 7.3x 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
Sun Prairie — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Madison, WI
Sun Prairie, WI
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Madison | Sun Prairie | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,121.3 | 1,594.0 | +527.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 256.3 | 184.3 | +72.0 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 2.6 | -0.1 |
| Rape Rate | 26.6 | 13.0 | +13.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 33.7 | 7.8 | +25.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 193.2 | 161.0 | +32.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,865.0 | 1,409.7 | +455.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 158.5 | 85.7 | +72.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,595.5 | 1,251.3 | +344.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 111.0 | 72.7 | +38.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Madison or Sun Prairie safer?
Sun Prairie is safer with a total crime rate of 1,594 per 100K vs 2,121 for Madison — a 25% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Madison has a violent crime rate of 256.3 per 100K while Sun Prairie has 184.3. Sun Prairie 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 Sun Prairie, WI
Sun Prairie, a growing suburb east of Madison, is known for its annual Groundhog Day celebration featuring Jimmy the Groundhog. Its landscape is primarily residential and agricultural, reflecting its transition from a farming community. With a safety score of 53/100 and a population coverage of 38,519, Sun Prairie has a total crime rate of 1,594.0 per 100,000 residents.