CCCityCheck
Find Your City
SafetyCostThings to DoToolsDataSearch

Milwaukee vs Madison: Crime & Safety Comparison (2026)

Updated October 2026 · Based on 2023 FBI UCR data

Milwaukee has a crime rate of 43 per 1,000 residents vs Madison's 23.5 per 1,000, making Madison 45% safer overall. Madison earns a C+ safety grade compared to Milwaukee's F. Both figures are based on 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data.

F

Milwaukee

Wisconsin

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

Madison

Wisconsin

Overall GradeC+
Violent CrimeC+
Property CrimeB-
Crime Rate23.5/1K
Percentile49%

Head-to-Head Crime Comparison

MetricMilwaukeeMadison
Overall Crime Rate43/1K23.5/1K
Violent Crime Rate1100.0417.8
Property Crime Rate3200.01935.6
Murder Rate18.54.6
Assault Rate808.4362.2
Robbery Rate158.273.6
Burglary Rate436.9299.5
Theft Rate2092.01349.6
Vehicle Theft Rate479.0259.5

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, Milwaukee is safer in 0 and Madison is safer in 9.

Victim Odds Comparison

In Milwaukee, you have a 1 in 23 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 43 in Madison.

Full Safety Reports

F
Milwaukee, Wisconsin Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends
C+
Madison, Wisconsin Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends

Weather Comparison: Milwaukee vs Madison

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

Madison Climate Overview

Annual High55.9°F
Annual Low38.2°F
Annual Rain32.4"
Annual Snow46.5"
Comfortable Months5
Best MonthAugust
Worst MonthNovember
Monthly Temperature
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
FreezingColdComfortableWarm

Monthly Temperature Comparison

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

Both cities have similar summer temperatures, but Madison is 3°F colder in winter than Milwaukee. Madison gets significantly more snow (47" vs 46").

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Milwaukee safer than Madison?
As of 2026, Madison is 45% safer overall, with a crime rate of 23.5 per 1,000 residents compared to Milwaukee's 43. Madison earns a C+ safety grade vs Milwaukee's F. Based on 2023 FBI UCR data.
Which city has more violent crime, Milwaukee or Madison?
Milwaukee has more violent crime at 1100 per 100,000 residents. Madison is safer for violent crime. The national average is 363.8 per 100,000.
What is the crime rate in Milwaukee vs Madison?
Milwaukee has a crime rate of 43 per 1,000 (violent: 1100/100K, property: 3200/100K). Madison has 23.5 per 1,000 (violent: 418/100K, property: 1936/100K).
Should I move to Milwaukee or Madison?
From a safety perspective, Madison has lower crime rates across most categories. However, safety is just one factor. Milwaukee (pop. 562,407) and Madison (pop. 286,233) differ in cost of living, job market, climate, and culture. Madison's C+ safety grade is a plus, but research all factors before deciding.
How do Milwaukee and Madison compare for property crime?
Madison has lower property crime at 1936 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

Milwaukee vs ChicagoMilwaukee vs Minneapolis

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.

Know before you go

CityCheck covers safety grades, crime data, and things to do for every US city.

Explore cities