Is Madison or Whitefish Bay Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Whitefish Bay is safer than Madison (Safety Score 76/100 vs 37/100), with a total crime rate of 949 per 100,000 versus 2,121 for Madison — 55% lower. Madison has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Whitefish Bay has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Madison is 19.4x 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
Whitefish Bay — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Madison, WI
Whitefish Bay, WI
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Madison | Whitefish Bay | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,121.3 | 949.3 | +1,172.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 256.3 | 13.8 | +242.6 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 0.0 | +2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 26.6 | 0.0 | +26.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 33.7 | 0.0 | +33.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 193.2 | 13.8 | +179.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,865.0 | 935.5 | +929.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 158.5 | 13.8 | +144.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,595.5 | 866.8 | +728.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 111.0 | 55.0 | +56.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Madison or Whitefish Bay safer?
Whitefish Bay is safer with a total crime rate of 949 per 100K vs 2,121 for Madison — a 55% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Madison has a violent crime rate of 256.3 per 100K while Whitefish Bay has 13.8. Whitefish Bay 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 Whitefish Bay, WI
Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin, is an affluent, tree-lined village on Lake Michigan's shore, just north of Milwaukee. Established in 1892, it is primarily residential with a median household income significantly above the state average. With a safety score of 76/100 and a population coverage of 14,537, Whitefish Bay has a total crime rate of 949.3 per 100,000 residents.