Is Milwaukee or Wausau Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Wausau is safer than Milwaukee (Safety Score 63/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 1,304 per 100,000 versus 4,135 for Milwaukee — 68% lower. Milwaukee has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Wausau has a 95% lower rate.
Note: Milwaukee is 14.0x 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
Wausau — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Milwaukee, WI
Wausau, WI
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Milwaukee | Wausau | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,135.0 | 1,304.2 | +2,830.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,434.3 | 295.4 | +1,138.9 |
| Murder Rate | 23.9 | 2.5 | +21.4 |
| Rape Rate | 68.2 | 105.1 | -37.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 308.2 | 15.0 | +293.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 1,030.7 | 172.7 | +857.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,700.7 | 1,008.8 | +1,691.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 388.1 | 107.6 | +280.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,255.1 | 836.1 | +419.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 1,057.4 | 65.1 | +992.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Milwaukee or Wausau safer?
Wausau is safer with a total crime rate of 1,304 per 100K vs 4,135 for Milwaukee — a 68% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Milwaukee has a violent crime rate of 1,434.3 per 100K while Wausau has 295.4. Wausau 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 Wausau, WI
Nestled along the Wisconsin River, Wausau is the county seat of Marathon County, known for its historic Grand Theater. This city in north-central Wisconsin has a population of around 39,000. With a safety score of 63/100 and a population coverage of 39,949, Wausau has a total crime rate of 1,304.2 per 100,000 residents.