Is Aurora or Mattoon Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Aurora is safer than Mattoon (Safety Score 54/100 vs 48/100), with a total crime rate of 1,573 per 100,000 versus 1,731 for Mattoon — 9% lower. Aurora has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Aurora has a 90% lower rate.
Note: Aurora is 10.4x 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
Mattoon — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Aurora, IL
Mattoon, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Aurora | Mattoon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,573.4 | 1,731.1 | -157.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 276.7 | 528.4 | -251.7 |
| Murder Rate | 0.6 | 6.1 | -5.5 |
| Rape Rate | 58.6 | 194.4 | -135.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 37.5 | 12.2 | +25.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 178.8 | 315.8 | -137.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,296.7 | 1,202.6 | +94.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 262.6 | 321.9 | -59.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 765.6 | 734.9 | +30.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 268.5 | 145.8 | +122.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Aurora or Mattoon safer?
Aurora is safer with a total crime rate of 1,573 per 100K vs 1,731 for Mattoon — a 9% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Aurora has a violent crime rate of 276.7 per 100K while Mattoon has 528.4. 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 Mattoon, IL
Mattoon, Illinois, a city in Coles County with a population around 17,000, is known as the "Bagel Capital of the World." This Central Illinois community sits along the former Lincoln Heritage Trail, reflecting its historical connection to Abraham Lincoln. With a safety score of 48/100 and a population coverage of 16,464, Mattoon has a total crime rate of 1,731.1 per 100,000 residents.