Madison, WI Crime Rate & Safety

Madison, WI has a crime safety grade of B- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 23% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 353 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 59 chance for property crime. Madison has lower crime than 53% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).

Madison is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of B-. Approximately 92% of the city's 145 neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. For example, Lacy Heights is one of the safest areas, while Leopold has higher crime rates. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Madison is strongly recommended.

Based on 2026 crime data, the safest neighborhoods in Madison are Lacy Heights, Heritage Heights, Belle Isle, Byrnewood, and Fitchburg Business Park. These areas have significantly lower crime rates than the city average and are popular choices for families, professionals, and anyone prioritizing safety.

The neighborhoods with the highest crime rates in Madison include Leopold, Monona Bay, Berkley Oaks, Bram's Addition, and University Apartments. These areas experience significantly more crime than the city average. Visitors and prospective residents should exercise extra caution in these neighborhoods, particularly at night.

The estimated violent crime rate in Madison is 283.2 per 100,000 residents, which is 26% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 353 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 4.0 per 100K (20% below average); aggravated assault at 207.3 per 100K (23% below average); robbery at 49.4 per 100K (33% below average).

The estimated property crime rate in Madison is 1,691.8 per 100,000 residents, which is 8% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 59 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 200.5 per 100K (26% below average); larceny/theft at 1,218.9 per 100K (13% below average); vehicle theft at 272.4 per 100K (15% below average).

Madison's overall crime rate is 23% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (13% below average), while robbery is 33% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Madison has lower crime than 53% of them.

Madison is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 8% below average, which is typically the main concern for tourists. Avoid leaving valuables in vehicles, stay aware of your surroundings in unfamiliar areas, and stick to well-traveled neighborhoods. Popular, safer areas for visitors include Lacy Heights, Heritage Heights, Belle Isle.

Wisconsin as a whole has crime that is 4% above the national average. Madison's crime rate is 23% below the national average, making it safer the typical Wisconsin city.

Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Madison, with an estimated rate of 1,218.9 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 13% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,692 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (283 per 100K) in Madison, which is consistent with national trends.