Is Milwaukee or South Milwaukee Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, South Milwaukee is safer than Milwaukee (Safety Score 58/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 1,457 per 100,000 versus 4,135 for Milwaukee — 65% lower. Milwaukee has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where South Milwaukee has a 94% lower rate.
Note: Milwaukee is 27.8x 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
South Milwaukee — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Milwaukee, WI
South Milwaukee, WI
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Milwaukee | South Milwaukee | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,135.0 | 1,457.0 | +2,677.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,434.3 | 158.6 | +1,275.7 |
| Murder Rate | 23.9 | 5.0 | +19.0 |
| Rape Rate | 68.2 | 19.8 | +48.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 308.2 | 19.8 | +288.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 1,030.7 | 114.0 | +916.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,700.7 | 1,298.4 | +1,402.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 388.1 | 44.6 | +343.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,255.1 | 1,189.4 | +65.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 1,057.4 | 64.4 | +993.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Milwaukee or South Milwaukee safer?
South Milwaukee is safer with a total crime rate of 1,457 per 100K vs 4,135 for Milwaukee — a 65% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Milwaukee has a violent crime rate of 1,434.3 per 100K while South Milwaukee has 158.6. South Milwaukee 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 South Milwaukee, WI
South Milwaukee, hugging Lake Michigan, developed around Bucyrus International, a major manufacturer. This city of roughly 20,000 residents is just south of Milwaukee proper. With a safety score of 58/100 and a population coverage of 20,178, South Milwaukee has a total crime rate of 1,457.0 per 100,000 residents.