Is Aurora or Pontiac Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Aurora is safer than Pontiac (Safety Score 54/100 vs 53/100), with a total crime rate of 1,573 per 100,000 versus 1,597 for Pontiac — 1% lower. Aurora has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Pontiac has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Aurora is 15.6x 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
Pontiac — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Aurora, IL
Pontiac, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Aurora | Pontiac | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,573.4 | 1,597.0 | -23.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 276.7 | 237.3 | +39.4 |
| Murder Rate | 0.6 | 0.0 | +0.6 |
| Rape Rate | 58.6 | 109.5 | -50.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 37.5 | 0.0 | +37.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 178.8 | 127.8 | +51.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,296.7 | 1,359.7 | -63.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 262.6 | 109.5 | +153.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 765.6 | 1,204.6 | -439.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 268.5 | 45.6 | +222.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Aurora or Pontiac safer?
Aurora is safer with a total crime rate of 1,573 per 100K vs 1,597 for Pontiac — a 1% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Aurora has a violent crime rate of 276.7 per 100K while Pontiac has 237.3. Pontiac 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 Pontiac, IL
Pontiac, Illinois, the county seat of Livingston County, is a small city on the Vermilion River. It's home to several historic Route 66 attractions and has a population of around 11,000. With a safety score of 53/100 and a population coverage of 10,958, Pontiac has a total crime rate of 1,597.0 per 100,000 residents.