Is Aurora or Sterling Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Sterling is safer than Aurora (Safety Score 15/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 3,319 per 100,000 versus 4,053 for Aurora — 18% lower. Aurora has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Sterling has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Aurora is 31.1x 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
Sterling — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Aurora, CO
Sterling, CO
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Aurora | Sterling | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,052.5 | 3,318.8 | +733.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 948.6 | 398.3 | +550.3 |
| Murder Rate | 10.3 | 0.0 | +10.3 |
| Rape Rate | 73.4 | 31.2 | +42.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 136.2 | 7.8 | +128.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 727.9 | 359.2 | +368.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,103.9 | 2,920.5 | +183.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 371.2 | 413.9 | -42.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,836.1 | 2,311.4 | -475.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 896.6 | 195.2 | +701.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Aurora or Sterling safer?
Sterling is safer with a total crime rate of 3,319 per 100K vs 4,053 for Aurora — a 18% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Aurora has a violent crime rate of 948.6 per 100K while Sterling has 398.3. Sterling 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 Sterling, CO
Sterling, Colorado, a plains town and the county seat of Logan County, was founded in 1881 as a stop on the Union Pacific Railroad. It is home to Northeastern Junior College, serving a rural population in northeastern Colorado. With a safety score of 15/100 and a population coverage of 12,806, Sterling has a total crime rate of 3,318.8 per 100,000 residents.