Is Aurora or Dekalb Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Aurora is safer than Dekalb (Safety Score 54/100 vs 21/100), with a total crime rate of 1,573 per 100,000 versus 2,907 for Dekalb — 46% lower. Aurora has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Dekalb 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
Dekalb — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Aurora, IL
Dekalb, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Aurora | Dekalb | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,573.4 | 2,907.4 | -1,334.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 276.7 | 393.0 | -116.3 |
| Murder Rate | 0.6 | 0.0 | +0.6 |
| Rape Rate | 58.6 | 151.7 | -93.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 37.5 | 34.8 | +2.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 178.8 | 206.4 | -27.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,296.7 | 2,514.4 | -1,217.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 262.6 | 338.2 | -75.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 765.6 | 2,124.0 | -1,358.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 268.5 | 52.2 | +216.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Aurora or Dekalb safer?
Aurora is safer with a total crime rate of 1,573 per 100K vs 2,907 for Dekalb — a 46% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Aurora has a violent crime rate of 276.7 per 100K while Dekalb has 393.0. 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 Dekalb, IL
DeKalb, Illinois, home to Northern Illinois University, is a city in DeKalb County, about 65 miles west of Chicago. It's known as the "Barb City" due to Joseph Glidden's invention of barbed wire here. The population is diverse, with a significant student presence. With a safety score of 21/100 and a population coverage of 40,208, Dekalb has a total crime rate of 2,907.4 per 100,000 residents.