Is Madison or Wisconsin Rapids Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Madison is safer than Wisconsin Rapids (Safety Score 37/100 vs 30/100), with a total crime rate of 2,121 per 100,000 versus 2,424 for Wisconsin Rapids — 13% lower. Madison has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Wisconsin Rapids has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Madison is 15.2x 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
Wisconsin Rapids — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Madison, WI
Wisconsin Rapids, WI
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Madison | Wisconsin Rapids | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,121.3 | 2,424.5 | -303.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 256.3 | 532.2 | -275.9 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 0.0 | +2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 26.6 | 172.0 | -145.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 33.7 | 10.8 | +22.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 193.2 | 349.4 | -156.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,865.0 | 1,892.3 | -27.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 158.5 | 145.2 | +13.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,595.5 | 1,602.0 | -6.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 111.0 | 145.2 | -34.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Madison or Wisconsin Rapids safer?
Madison is safer with a total crime rate of 2,121 per 100K vs 2,424 for Wisconsin Rapids — a 13% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Madison has a violent crime rate of 256.3 per 100K while Wisconsin Rapids has 532.2. 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 Wisconsin Rapids, WI
Wisconsin Rapids, a city on the Wisconsin River, was once known as Grand Rapids. It's the county seat of Wood County and historically a papermaking hub, with a population around 18,000. With a safety score of 30/100 and a population coverage of 18,602, Wisconsin Rapids has a total crime rate of 2,424.5 per 100,000 residents.