Is Aurora or Lakewood Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Aurora is safer than Lakewood (Safety Score 8/100 vs 2/100), with a total crime rate of 4,053 per 100,000 versus 5,884 for Lakewood — 31% lower. Aurora has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Lakewood has a 75% lower rate.
Note: Aurora is 2.6x 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
Lakewood — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Aurora, CO
Lakewood, CO
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Aurora | Lakewood | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,052.5 | 5,883.8 | -1,831.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 948.6 | 790.4 | +158.2 |
| Murder Rate | 10.3 | 2.6 | +7.7 |
| Rape Rate | 73.4 | 59.7 | +13.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 136.2 | 137.9 | -1.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 727.9 | 587.0 | +140.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,103.9 | 5,093.4 | -1,989.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 371.2 | 588.3 | -217.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,836.1 | 3,732.0 | -1,895.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 896.6 | 773.1 | +123.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Aurora or Lakewood safer?
Aurora is safer with a total crime rate of 4,053 per 100K vs 5,884 for Lakewood — a 31% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Aurora has a violent crime rate of 948.6 per 100K while Lakewood has 790.4. Lakewood 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 Lakewood, CO
Lakewood, Colorado, a city of over 150,000 residents, emerged from the historic Villa Park, annexed in 1955. It spans a diverse landscape at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, west of Denver. With a safety score of 2/100 and a population coverage of 155,868, Lakewood has a total crime rate of 5,883.8 per 100,000 residents.