Is Milwaukee or San Francisco Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Milwaukee is safer than San Francisco (Safety Score 8/100 vs 5/100), with a total crime rate of 4,135 per 100,000 versus 4,526 for San Francisco — 9% lower. Milwaukee has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Francisco has a 82% lower rate.
Milwaukee — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Francisco — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Milwaukee, WI
San Francisco, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Milwaukee | San Francisco | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,135.0 | 4,525.6 | -390.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,434.3 | 596.5 | +837.8 |
| Murder Rate | 23.9 | 4.4 | +19.6 |
| Rape Rate | 68.2 | 34.9 | +33.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 308.2 | 267.2 | +41.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 1,030.7 | 290.1 | +740.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,700.7 | 3,929.1 | -1,228.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 388.1 | 637.5 | -249.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,255.1 | 2,618.9 | -1,363.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 1,057.4 | 672.7 | +384.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Milwaukee or San Francisco safer?
Milwaukee is safer with a total crime rate of 4,135 per 100K vs 4,526 for San Francisco — a 9% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Milwaukee has a violent crime rate of 1,434.3 per 100K while San Francisco has 596.5. San Francisco 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 San Francisco, CA
San Francisco, a vibrant Northern California port city renowned for its iconic Golden Gate Bridge, spans a hilly peninsula. Home to a diverse population of nearly 850,000, it was a pivotal center of the counterculture movement in the 1960s. With a safety score of 5/100 and a population coverage of 802,856, San Francisco has a total crime rate of 4,525.6 per 100,000 residents.