Is Aurora or Des Plaines Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Des Plaines is safer than Aurora (Safety Score 64/100 vs 54/100), with a total crime rate of 1,260 per 100,000 versus 1,573 for Aurora — 20% lower. Aurora has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Des Plaines has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Aurora is 3.0x 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
Des Plaines — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Aurora, IL
Des Plaines, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Aurora | Des Plaines | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,573.4 | 1,260.1 | +313.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 276.7 | 120.6 | +156.1 |
| Murder Rate | 0.6 | 0.0 | +0.6 |
| Rape Rate | 58.6 | 19.2 | +39.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 37.5 | 24.5 | +13.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 178.8 | 76.9 | +101.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,296.7 | 1,139.5 | +157.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 262.6 | 417.7 | -155.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 765.6 | 601.2 | +164.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 268.5 | 120.6 | +147.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Aurora or Des Plaines safer?
Des Plaines is safer with a total crime rate of 1,260 per 100K vs 1,573 for Aurora — a 20% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Aurora has a violent crime rate of 276.7 per 100K while Des Plaines has 120.6. Des Plaines 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 Des Plaines, IL
Des Plaines, home to the first McDonald's restaurant, sits along the Des Plaines River in Cook County. This suburban city, with a population around 58,000, is a diverse community northwest of Chicago. With a safety score of 64/100 and a population coverage of 57,218, Des Plaines has a total crime rate of 1,260.1 per 100,000 residents.