Is Aurora or Northbrook Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Northbrook is safer than Aurora (Safety Score 66/100 vs 54/100), with a total crime rate of 1,226 per 100,000 versus 1,573 for Aurora — 22% lower. Aurora has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Northbrook has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Aurora is 5.1x 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
Northbrook — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Aurora, IL
Northbrook, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Aurora | Northbrook | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,573.4 | 1,225.8 | +347.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 276.7 | 17.9 | +258.8 |
| Murder Rate | 0.6 | 0.0 | +0.6 |
| Rape Rate | 58.6 | 11.9 | +46.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 37.5 | 0.0 | +37.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 178.8 | 6.0 | +172.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,296.7 | 1,208.0 | +88.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 262.6 | 333.2 | -70.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 765.6 | 812.3 | -46.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 268.5 | 62.5 | +206.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Aurora or Northbrook safer?
Northbrook is safer with a total crime rate of 1,226 per 100K vs 1,573 for Aurora — a 22% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Aurora has a violent crime rate of 276.7 per 100K while Northbrook has 17.9. Northbrook 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 Northbrook, IL
Northbrook, a affluent Chicago suburb, is home to the Ed Rudolph Velodrome, a historic outdoor cycling track. Situated primarily within Cook County, its residents enjoy a high median household income. With a safety score of 66/100 and a population coverage of 33,610, Northbrook has a total crime rate of 1,225.8 per 100,000 residents.