Milwaukee, WI Crime Rate & Safety

Milwaukee, WI has a crime safety grade of C- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 38% above the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 219 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 34 chance for property crime. Milwaukee has higher crime than 84% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).

Milwaukee has a moderate level of crime with a safety grade of C-. Approximately 82% of the city's 191 neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. For example, Golden Gate is one of the safest areas, while Hillside has higher crime rates. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Milwaukee is strongly recommended.

Based on 2026 crime data, the safest neighborhoods in Milwaukee are Golden Gate, College Heights, Maitland Park, Mack Acres, and Morgan Heights. 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 Milwaukee include Hillside, Haymarket, Concordia, Halyard Park, and King Park. 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 Milwaukee is 455.6 per 100,000 residents, which is 20% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 219 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 6.8 per 100K (36% above average); aggravated assault at 316.7 per 100K (18% above average); robbery at 90.8 per 100K (23% above average).

The estimated property crime rate in Milwaukee is 2,950.0 per 100,000 residents, which is 61% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 34 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 347.5 per 100K (29% above average); larceny/theft at 2,123.4 per 100K (51% above average); vehicle theft at 479.1 per 100K (50% above average).

Milwaukee's overall crime rate is 38% above the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (51% above average), while assault is 18% above average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Milwaukee has higher crime than 84% of them.

Visitors to Milwaukee should take standard urban precautions. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 61% above 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 Golden Gate, College Heights, Maitland Park.

Wisconsin as a whole has crime that is 4% above the national average. Milwaukee's crime rate is 38% above the national average, making it more dangerous than the typical Wisconsin city.

Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Milwaukee, with an estimated rate of 2,123.4 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 51% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (2,950 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (456 per 100K) in Milwaukee, which is consistent with national trends.