Is Aurora or Downers Grove Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Downers Grove is safer than Aurora (Safety Score 75/100 vs 54/100), with a total crime rate of 985 per 100,000 versus 1,573 for Aurora — 37% lower. Aurora has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Downers Grove has a 78% lower rate.
Note: Aurora is 3.4x 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
Downers Grove — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Aurora, IL
Downers Grove, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Aurora | Downers Grove | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,573.4 | 984.5 | +588.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 276.7 | 113.0 | +163.7 |
| Murder Rate | 0.6 | 2.0 | -1.4 |
| Rape Rate | 58.6 | 36.3 | +22.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 37.5 | 8.1 | +29.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 178.8 | 66.6 | +112.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,296.7 | 871.6 | +425.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 262.6 | 135.2 | +127.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 765.6 | 647.6 | +118.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 268.5 | 88.8 | +179.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Aurora or Downers Grove safer?
Downers Grove is safer with a total crime rate of 985 per 100K vs 1,573 for Aurora — a 37% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Aurora has a violent crime rate of 276.7 per 100K while Downers Grove has 113.0. Downers Grove 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 Downers Grove, IL
Downers Grove, a Chicago suburb, was founded by Stephen Downer in 1832. This affluent village in DuPage County is known for its historic Tivoli Theatre and proximity to major expressways. With a safety score of 75/100 and a population coverage of 49,567, Downers Grove has a total crime rate of 984.5 per 100,000 residents.