Is Aurora or Palos Heights Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Palos Heights is safer than Aurora (Safety Score 77/100 vs 54/100), with a total crime rate of 925 per 100,000 versus 1,573 for Aurora — 41% lower. Aurora has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Palos Heights has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Aurora is 15.0x 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
Palos Heights — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Aurora, IL
Palos Heights, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Aurora | Palos Heights | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,573.4 | 924.9 | +648.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 276.7 | 61.7 | +215.0 |
| Murder Rate | 0.6 | 0.0 | +0.6 |
| Rape Rate | 58.6 | 35.2 | +23.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 37.5 | 17.6 | +19.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 178.8 | 8.8 | +170.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,296.7 | 863.2 | +433.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 262.6 | 88.1 | +174.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 765.6 | 766.3 | -0.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 268.5 | 8.8 | +259.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Aurora or Palos Heights safer?
Palos Heights is safer with a total crime rate of 925 per 100K vs 1,573 for Aurora — a 41% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Aurora has a violent crime rate of 276.7 per 100K while Palos Heights has 61.7. Palos Heights 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 Palos Heights, IL
Palos Heights, a southwestern Chicago suburb, is home to Lake Katherine Nature Center and Botanic Gardens. This Cook County community, incorporated in 1959, features a mix of residential areas and local businesses. With a safety score of 77/100 and a population coverage of 11,353, Palos Heights has a total crime rate of 924.9 per 100,000 residents.