Is Aurora or Charleston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Aurora is safer than Charleston (Safety Score 54/100 vs 36/100), with a total crime rate of 1,573 per 100,000 versus 2,153 for Charleston — 27% lower. Aurora has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Charleston has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Aurora is 10.1x 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
Charleston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Aurora, IL
Charleston, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Aurora | Charleston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,573.4 | 2,152.5 | -579.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 276.7 | 359.7 | -83.0 |
| Murder Rate | 0.6 | 0.0 | +0.6 |
| Rape Rate | 58.6 | 123.8 | -65.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 37.5 | 5.9 | +31.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 178.8 | 230.0 | -51.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,296.7 | 1,792.8 | -496.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 262.6 | 607.4 | -344.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 765.6 | 1,114.6 | -349.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 268.5 | 70.8 | +197.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Aurora or Charleston safer?
Aurora is safer with a total crime rate of 1,573 per 100K vs 2,153 for Charleston — a 27% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Aurora has a violent crime rate of 276.7 per 100K while Charleston has 359.7. Aurora has lower violent crime.
About Aurora, IL
Aurora, Illinois, "City of Lights," was the first in the U.S. to light its streets with electricity. Situated along the Fox River, it's the second-most populous city in Illinois. With a safety score of 54/100 and a population coverage of 170,585, Aurora has a total crime rate of 1,573.4 per 100,000 residents.
About Charleston, IL
Home to Eastern Illinois University, Charleston is a Central Illinois city with a population around 17,000. It's known for its historic town square and as the site of one of the Lincoln-Douglas debates. With a safety score of 36/100 and a population coverage of 16,957, Charleston has a total crime rate of 2,152.5 per 100,000 residents.