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Chicago vs Milwaukee: Crime & Safety Comparison (2026)

Updated October 2026 · Based on 2023 FBI UCR data

Chicago has a crime rate of 35.5 per 1,000 residents vs Milwaukee's 43 per 1,000, making Chicago 17% safer overall. Chicago earns a D+ safety grade compared to Milwaukee's F. Both figures are based on 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data.

D+

Chicago

Illinois

Overall GradeD+
Violent CrimeD
Property CrimeC-
Crime Rate35.5/1K
Percentile20%
F

Milwaukee

Wisconsin

Overall GradeF
Violent CrimeF
Property CrimeD
Crime Rate43/1K
Percentile9%

Head-to-Head Crime Comparison

MetricChicagoMilwaukee
Overall Crime Rate35.5/1K43/1K
Violent Crime Rate750.01100.0
Property Crime Rate2800.03200.0
Murder Rate14.118.5
Assault Rate608.5808.4
Robbery Rate120.9158.2
Burglary Rate376.8436.9
Theft Rate1938.22092.0
Vehicle Theft Rate674.0479.0

Crime rates per 100,000 residents. 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data. Lower rates are better (safer).

Category Winner Summary

Out of 9 crime categories, Chicago is safer in 8 and Milwaukee is safer in 1.

Victim Odds Comparison

In Chicago, you have a 1 in 28 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 23 in Milwaukee.

Full Safety Reports

D+
Chicago, Illinois Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends
F
Milwaukee, Wisconsin Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends

Weather Comparison: Chicago vs Milwaukee

Chicago Climate Overview

Annual High59.3°F
Annual Low42.8°F
Annual Rain36.9"
Annual Snow36.1"
Comfortable Months5
Best MonthJune
Worst MonthDecember
Monthly Temperature
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
FreezingColdComfortableWarm

Milwaukee Climate Overview

Annual High55.8°F
Annual Low40.3°F
Annual Rain32.7"
Annual Snow45.5"
Comfortable Months5
Best MonthAugust
Worst MonthNovember
Monthly Temperature
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
FreezingColdComfortableWarm

Monthly Temperature Comparison

ChicagoMilwaukeeHigh/Low °F range
20°40°60°80°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Chicago is 3°F warmer in summer than Milwaukee, but Milwaukee is 4°F colder in winter than Chicago. Milwaukee gets significantly more snow (46" vs 36").

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Chicago safer than Milwaukee?
As of 2026, Chicago is 17% safer overall, with a crime rate of 35.5 per 1,000 residents compared to Milwaukee's 43. Chicago earns a D+ safety grade vs Milwaukee's F. Based on 2023 FBI UCR data.
Which city has more violent crime, Chicago or Milwaukee?
Milwaukee has more violent crime at 1100 per 100,000 residents. Chicago is safer for violent crime. The national average is 363.8 per 100,000.
What is the crime rate in Chicago vs Milwaukee?
Chicago has a crime rate of 35.5 per 1,000 (violent: 750/100K, property: 2800/100K). Milwaukee has 43 per 1,000 (violent: 1100/100K, property: 3200/100K).
Should I move to Chicago or Milwaukee?
From a safety perspective, Chicago has lower crime rates across most categories. However, safety is just one factor. Chicago (pop. 2,731,585) and Milwaukee (pop. 562,407) differ in cost of living, job market, climate, and culture. Chicago's D+ safety grade is a plus, but research all factors before deciding.
How do Chicago and Milwaukee compare for property crime?
Chicago has lower property crime at 2800 per 100K vs Milwaukee's 3200. The national average is 1,832 per 100K. Theft is the most common property crime in both cities.

Related Comparisons

Chicago vs New YorkChicago vs Los AngelesChicago vs DetroitMilwaukee vs MinneapolisMilwaukee vs Madison

2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

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