Wauwatosa, WI Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 92% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Wauwatosa Safe?
Yes — Wauwatosa is safe overall
A safe city with below-average crime, though safety varies by neighborhood.
Wauwatosa has a crime rate that is 48% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 325.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 325
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
19% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 54
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
1% higher than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Wauwatosa Crime Breakdown
Estimated crime rates based on FBI UCR data, calibrated to city-level crime score.
| Crime Type | Index | vs National | Risk Level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | ||||
|
Murder
|
59 | -41% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
86 | -14% | Average | |
|
Robbery
|
82 | -18% | Average | |
|
Rape
|
42 | -58% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
70 | -30% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
101 | +1% | Average | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
74 | -26% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Wauwatosa Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Wauwatosa Demographics & Context
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Wauwatosa, WI?
Wauwatosa, WI has a crime safety grade of A- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 48% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 325 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 54 chance for property crime. Wauwatosa has lower crime than 92% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Wauwatosa, WI safe to live in?
Wauwatosa is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of A-. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Wauwatosa is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Wauwatosa?
The estimated violent crime rate in Wauwatosa is 307.6 per 100,000 residents, which is 19% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 325 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 2.9 per 100K (41% below average); aggravated assault at 229.5 per 100K (14% below average); robbery at 61.0 per 100K (18% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Wauwatosa?
The estimated property crime rate in Wauwatosa is 1,842.4 per 100,000 residents, which is 1% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 54 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 189.2 per 100K (30% below average); larceny/theft at 1,416.5 per 100K (1% above average); vehicle theft at 236.7 per 100K (26% below average).
How does Wauwatosa crime compare to the national average?
Wauwatosa's overall crime rate is 48% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (1% above average), while rape is 58% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Wauwatosa has lower crime than 92% of them.
Is Wauwatosa safe to visit?
Wauwatosa is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 1% 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.
How does Wauwatosa crime compare to the rest of Wisconsin?
Wisconsin as a whole has crime that is 4% above the national average. Wauwatosa's crime rate is 48% below the national average, making it safer the typical Wisconsin city.
What type of crime is most common in Wauwatosa?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Wauwatosa, with an estimated rate of 1,416.5 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 1% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,842 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (308 per 100K) in Wauwatosa, which is consistent with national trends.