Is Aurora or Chatham Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Chatham is safer than Aurora (Safety Score 89/100 vs 54/100), with a total crime rate of 597 per 100,000 versus 1,573 for Aurora — 62% lower. Aurora has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Chatham has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Aurora is 11.7x 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
Chatham — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Aurora, IL
Chatham, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Aurora | Chatham | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,573.4 | 597.5 | +976.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 276.7 | 103.0 | +173.7 |
| Murder Rate | 0.6 | 0.0 | +0.6 |
| Rape Rate | 58.6 | 20.6 | +38.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 37.5 | 0.0 | +37.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 178.8 | 82.4 | +96.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,296.7 | 494.4 | +802.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 262.6 | 89.3 | +173.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 765.6 | 391.4 | +374.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 268.5 | 13.7 | +254.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Aurora or Chatham safer?
Chatham is safer with a total crime rate of 597 per 100K vs 1,573 for Aurora — a 62% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Aurora has a violent crime rate of 276.7 per 100K while Chatham has 103.0. Chatham 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 Chatham, IL
Chatham, a village south of Springfield, Illinois, was founded in 1836. It's home to roughly 14,000 residents, primarily families and commuters. With a safety score of 89/100 and a population coverage of 14,562, Chatham has a total crime rate of 597.5 per 100,000 residents.