Is Aurora or Thornton Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Thornton is safer than Aurora (Safety Score 18/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 3,114 per 100,000 versus 4,053 for Aurora — 23% lower. Aurora has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Thornton has a 87% lower rate.
Note: Aurora is 2.7x 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
Thornton — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Aurora, CO
Thornton, CO
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Aurora | Thornton | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,052.5 | 3,114.2 | +938.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 948.6 | 278.4 | +670.2 |
| Murder Rate | 10.3 | 1.4 | +8.9 |
| Rape Rate | 73.4 | 79.5 | -6.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 136.2 | 49.4 | +86.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 727.9 | 143.3 | +584.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,103.9 | 2,835.9 | +268.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 371.2 | 277.0 | +94.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,836.1 | 2,067.9 | -231.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 896.6 | 490.9 | +405.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Aurora or Thornton safer?
Thornton is safer with a total crime rate of 3,114 per 100K vs 4,053 for Aurora — a 23% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Aurora has a violent crime rate of 948.6 per 100K while Thornton has 278.4. Thornton 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 Thornton, CO
Thornton, a northern Denver suburb, began as a post-WWII housing boom community. It spans parts of Adams and Weld counties, with a diverse, family-oriented population. With a safety score of 18/100 and a population coverage of 145,847, Thornton has a total crime rate of 3,114.2 per 100,000 residents.