Is Aurora or Ottawa Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Aurora is safer than Ottawa (Safety Score 54/100 vs 50/100), with a total crime rate of 1,573 per 100,000 versus 1,683 for Ottawa — 6% lower. Aurora has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Ottawa has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Aurora is 9.1x 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
Ottawa — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Aurora, IL
Ottawa, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Aurora | Ottawa | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,573.4 | 1,682.5 | -109.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 276.7 | 187.0 | +89.7 |
| Murder Rate | 0.6 | 0.0 | +0.6 |
| Rape Rate | 58.6 | 64.1 | -5.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 37.5 | 5.3 | +32.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 178.8 | 117.5 | +61.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,296.7 | 1,495.6 | -198.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 262.6 | 288.4 | -25.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 765.6 | 1,116.3 | -350.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 268.5 | 90.8 | +177.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Aurora or Ottawa safer?
Aurora is safer with a total crime rate of 1,573 per 100K vs 1,683 for Ottawa — a 6% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Aurora has a violent crime rate of 276.7 per 100K while Ottawa has 187.0. Ottawa 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 Ottawa, IL
Ottawa, Illinois, nestled at the confluence of the Fox and Illinois Rivers, was the site of the first Lincoln-Douglas debate. This LaSalle County seat has a population of around 18,000. With a safety score of 50/100 and a population coverage of 18,722, Ottawa has a total crime rate of 1,682.5 per 100,000 residents.