Is Aurora or Jacksonville Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Aurora is safer than Jacksonville (Safety Score 54/100 vs 30/100), with a total crime rate of 1,573 per 100,000 versus 2,406 for Jacksonville — 35% lower. Aurora has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Aurora has a 95% lower rate.
Note: Aurora is 10.0x 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
Jacksonville — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Aurora, IL
Jacksonville, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Aurora | Jacksonville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,573.4 | 2,406.3 | -832.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 276.7 | 303.7 | -27.0 |
| Murder Rate | 0.6 | 11.7 | -11.1 |
| Rape Rate | 58.6 | 81.8 | -23.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 37.5 | 29.2 | +8.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 178.8 | 181.1 | -2.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,296.7 | 2,102.6 | -805.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 262.6 | 461.4 | -198.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 765.6 | 1,489.3 | -723.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 268.5 | 151.9 | +116.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Aurora or Jacksonville safer?
Aurora is safer with a total crime rate of 1,573 per 100K vs 2,406 for Jacksonville — a 35% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Aurora has a violent crime rate of 276.7 per 100K while Jacksonville has 303.7. 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 Jacksonville, IL
Jacksonville, Illinois, a city of 17,000 in Morgan County, is home to Illinois College, founded in 1829. It sits on the historic alignment of U.S. Route 67, roughly 35 miles west of Springfield. With a safety score of 30/100 and a population coverage of 17,122, Jacksonville has a total crime rate of 2,406.3 per 100,000 residents.