Is Milwaukee or Watertown Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Watertown is safer than Milwaukee (Safety Score 65/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 1,243 per 100,000 versus 4,135 for Milwaukee — 70% lower. Milwaukee has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Watertown has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Milwaukee is 24.8x 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
Watertown — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Milwaukee, WI
Watertown, WI
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Milwaukee | Watertown | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,135.0 | 1,242.7 | +2,892.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,434.3 | 194.6 | +1,239.7 |
| Murder Rate | 23.9 | 0.0 | +23.9 |
| Rape Rate | 68.2 | 61.9 | +6.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 308.2 | 8.8 | +299.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 1,030.7 | 119.4 | +911.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,700.7 | 1,048.1 | +1,652.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 388.1 | 39.8 | +348.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,255.1 | 946.4 | +308.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 1,057.4 | 61.9 | +995.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Milwaukee or Watertown safer?
Watertown is safer with a total crime rate of 1,243 per 100K vs 4,135 for Milwaukee — a 70% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Milwaukee has a violent crime rate of 1,434.3 per 100K while Watertown has 194.6. Watertown 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 Watertown, WI
Watertown, WI, straddles the Rock River, a city with a rich German heritage and home to the first kindergarten in the United States. This Dodge and Jefferson County community has a population of approximately 24,000. With a safety score of 65/100 and a population coverage of 22,612, Watertown has a total crime rate of 1,242.7 per 100,000 residents.