Is Milwaukee or Oshkosh Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Oshkosh is safer than Milwaukee (Safety Score 50/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 1,685 per 100,000 versus 4,135 for Milwaukee — 59% lower. Milwaukee has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Oshkosh has a 95% lower rate.
Note: Milwaukee is 8.5x 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
Oshkosh — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Milwaukee, WI
Oshkosh, WI
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Milwaukee | Oshkosh | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,135.0 | 1,685.0 | +2,450.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,434.3 | 233.4 | +1,200.9 |
| Murder Rate | 23.9 | 6.1 | +17.9 |
| Rape Rate | 68.2 | 34.9 | +33.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 308.2 | 15.2 | +293.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 1,030.7 | 175.8 | +854.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,700.7 | 1,451.7 | +1,249.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 388.1 | 153.0 | +235.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,255.1 | 1,222.8 | +32.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 1,057.4 | 75.8 | +981.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Milwaukee or Oshkosh safer?
Oshkosh is safer with a total crime rate of 1,685 per 100K vs 4,135 for Milwaukee — a 59% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Milwaukee has a violent crime rate of 1,434.3 per 100K while Oshkosh has 233.4. Oshkosh 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 Oshkosh, WI
Oshkosh, a city of 66,000 in eastern Wisconsin, sits along Lake Winnebago. It's known for the EAA AirVenture, an annual aviation celebration. With a safety score of 50/100 and a population coverage of 65,994, Oshkosh has a total crime rate of 1,685.0 per 100,000 residents.