Is Aurora or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Aurora is safer than Houston (Safety Score 54/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 1,573 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 71% lower. Aurora has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Aurora has a 96% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 13.6x 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
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Aurora, IL
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Aurora | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,573.4 | 5,441.7 | -3,868.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 276.7 | 1,148.3 | -871.6 |
| Murder Rate | 0.6 | 13.8 | -13.2 |
| Rape Rate | 58.6 | 73.0 | -14.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 37.5 | 274.0 | -236.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 178.8 | 787.4 | -608.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,296.7 | 4,293.5 | -2,996.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 262.6 | 644.8 | -382.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 765.6 | 2,945.7 | -2,180.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 268.5 | 703.0 | -434.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Aurora or Houston safer?
Aurora is safer with a total crime rate of 1,573 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 71% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Aurora has a violent crime rate of 276.7 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. 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 Houston, TX
Houston, the "Space City," is a sprawling metropolis in Southeast Texas, home to NASA's Johnson Space Center. Its diverse population makes it one of the most multicultural cities in the U.S., with significant Hispanic and Asian communities. With a safety score of 3/100 and a population coverage of 2,319,160, Houston has a total crime rate of 5,441.7 per 100,000 residents.