Is Milwaukee or Waukesha Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Waukesha is safer than Milwaukee (Safety Score 75/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 990 per 100,000 versus 4,135 for Milwaukee — 76% lower. Milwaukee has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Waukesha has a 98% lower rate.
Note: Milwaukee is 8.0x 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
Waukesha — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Milwaukee, WI
Waukesha, WI
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Milwaukee | Waukesha | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,135.0 | 990.0 | +3,145.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,434.3 | 115.4 | +1,318.9 |
| Murder Rate | 23.9 | 1.4 | +22.5 |
| Rape Rate | 68.2 | 28.5 | +39.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 308.2 | 7.1 | +301.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 1,030.7 | 76.9 | +953.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,700.7 | 874.6 | +1,826.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 388.1 | 51.3 | +336.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,255.1 | 767.8 | +487.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 1,057.4 | 55.6 | +1,001.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Milwaukee or Waukesha safer?
Waukesha is safer with a total crime rate of 990 per 100K vs 4,135 for Milwaukee — a 76% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Milwaukee has a violent crime rate of 1,434.3 per 100K while Waukesha has 115.4. Waukesha 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 Waukesha, WI
Waukesha, once known as "Spa City" for its spring waters, is a city in southeastern Wisconsin. It serves as the county seat and is home to Carroll University. With a safety score of 75/100 and a population coverage of 70,202, Waukesha has a total crime rate of 990.0 per 100,000 residents.