Is Milwaukee or New York City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, New York City is safer than Milwaukee (Safety Score 19/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 3,040 per 100,000 versus 4,135 for Milwaukee — 26% lower. Milwaukee has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where New York City has a 84% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 14.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Milwaukee — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New York City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Milwaukee, WI
New York City, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Milwaukee | New York City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,135.0 | 3,039.7 | +1,095.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,434.3 | 671.4 | +762.9 |
| Murder Rate | 23.9 | 3.9 | +20.0 |
| Rape Rate | 68.2 | 23.4 | +44.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 308.2 | 187.5 | +120.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 1,030.7 | 456.2 | +574.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,700.7 | 2,368.3 | +332.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 388.1 | 154.7 | +233.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,255.1 | 2,015.0 | -759.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 1,057.4 | 198.5 | +858.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Milwaukee or New York City safer?
New York City is safer with a total crime rate of 3,040 per 100K vs 4,135 for Milwaukee — a 26% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Milwaukee has a violent crime rate of 1,434.3 per 100K while New York City has 671.4. New York City has lower violent crime.
About Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee, a city on Lake Michigan's western shore, boasts a rich brewing heritage and a diverse population. Its industrial past is evident in its architecture and strong community ties. With a safety score of 8/100 and a population coverage of 560,416, Milwaukee has a total crime rate of 4,135.0 per 100,000 residents.
About New York City, NY
New York City, a global financial hub, sits at the mouth of the Hudson River. Home to the iconic Statue of Liberty, its five boroughs house over 8 million people, making it the most populous city in the United States. With a safety score of 19/100 and a population coverage of 8,299,271, New York City has a total crime rate of 3,039.7 per 100,000 residents.