Is Aurora or Brighton Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Brighton is safer than Aurora (Safety Score 20/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 2,993 per 100,000 versus 4,053 for Aurora — 26% lower. Aurora has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Brighton has a 78% lower rate.
Note: Aurora is 9.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Aurora — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Brighton — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Aurora, CO
Brighton, CO
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Aurora | Brighton | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,052.5 | 2,993.2 | +1,059.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 948.6 | 474.2 | +474.4 |
| Murder Rate | 10.3 | 2.3 | +8.0 |
| Rape Rate | 73.4 | 81.0 | -7.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 136.2 | 37.0 | +99.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 727.9 | 351.6 | +376.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,103.9 | 2,519.0 | +584.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 371.2 | 249.8 | +121.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,836.1 | 1,903.7 | -67.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 896.6 | 365.5 | +531.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Aurora or Brighton safer?
Brighton is safer with a total crime rate of 2,993 per 100K vs 4,053 for Aurora — a 26% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Aurora has a violent crime rate of 948.6 per 100K while Brighton has 474.2. Brighton has lower violent crime.
About Aurora, CO
Aurora, Colorado, a large city spanning three counties, was originally founded in the 1880s as a dry community named Fletcher. It is now the third most populous city in Colorado, with a diverse suburban landscape east of Denver. With a safety score of 8/100 and a population coverage of 397,852, Aurora has a total crime rate of 4,052.5 per 100,000 residents.
About Brighton, CO
Brighton, Colorado, a city platted in 1871 along the Denver Pacific Railroad, sits northeast of Denver in Adams County. Its population of over 40,000 residents enjoys proximity to both urban amenities and agricultural landscapes. With a safety score of 20/100 and a population coverage of 43,231, Brighton has a total crime rate of 2,993.2 per 100,000 residents.