Is Aurora or Crystal Lake Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Crystal Lake is safer than Aurora (Safety Score 66/100 vs 54/100), with a total crime rate of 1,208 per 100,000 versus 1,573 for Aurora — 23% lower. Aurora has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Crystal Lake has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Aurora is 4.2x 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
Crystal Lake — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Aurora, IL
Crystal Lake, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Aurora | Crystal Lake | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,573.4 | 1,207.6 | +365.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 276.7 | 104.7 | +172.0 |
| Murder Rate | 0.6 | 0.0 | +0.6 |
| Rape Rate | 58.6 | 48.7 | +9.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 37.5 | 4.9 | +32.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 178.8 | 51.1 | +127.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,296.7 | 1,102.9 | +193.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 262.6 | 102.3 | +160.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 765.6 | 927.6 | -162.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 268.5 | 73.0 | +195.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Aurora or Crystal Lake safer?
Crystal Lake is safer with a total crime rate of 1,208 per 100K vs 1,573 for Aurora — a 23% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Aurora has a violent crime rate of 276.7 per 100K while Crystal Lake has 104.7. Crystal Lake 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 Crystal Lake, IL
Crystal Lake, Illinois, a city named for its spring-fed lake, is home to over 40,000 residents in McHenry County. It was originally two separate communities, Nunda and Crystal Lake, before consolidating. With a safety score of 66/100 and a population coverage of 41,074, Crystal Lake has a total crime rate of 1,207.6 per 100,000 residents.