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Moving Guide

Moving to Aurora?

Everything you need to know before you move — safety data, local real estate agents, home security options, and what it means for your insurance.

Safety Score
D+52/100

Below Average Safety

Chicago Metro Suburb · Kane / DuPage County

Crime rate stable

What the safety score means for you

52/100

Safety Score

5.2/1k

Violent Crime

28.6/1k

Property Crime

48

Walk Score

Aurora is Illinois's second-largest city and one of the most geographically and demographically diverse communities in the Chicago metro. Safety varies sharply by neighborhood: North Aurora and the western subdivisions near Naperville carry safety profiles comparable to far safer suburbs, while Downtown Aurora and East Aurora have elevated violent crime rates. Buyers and renters should research specific ZIP codes carefully — 60502 and 60504 (North Aurora / Naperville border) are dramatically safer than 60505 (East Aurora).

How Aurora compares

Violent crime5.2/1k — 30% above the Illinois average
0IL avg: 420/1k
Property crime28.6/1k — 44% above IL avg
0IL avg: 19.850/1k

What the numbers mean for you

Both violent and property crime are above average. A block-by-block assessment is strongly recommended before signing a lease or making an offer.

Trend: Stable

Crime in Aurora has been stable year-over-year (within 1%). Stable trends are generally a positive signal — they suggest the neighborhood's safety profile is predictable and not in flux.

Nearby suburbs for comparison

SuburbScoreViolent/1kTrend
Aurora ← you525.2—
Oak Park783.4↓
Lombard822.4↓
Elmhurst851.8—

Safety data sourced from FBI UCR / Illinois State Police Annual Report. Violent and property crime rates are per 1,000 residents. Illinois statewide averages: violent 4/1k, property 19.8/1k. Scores reflect the most recent annual reporting period available.

What to know before you move

  • Aurora has a violent crime rate of 5.2 per 1,000 residents — well below the Illinois average of ~4.0 per 1,000.
  • Property crime rate: 28.6 per 1,000. Lock vehicles and use a garage when possible.
  • Trend: Crime rate stable year-over-year.
Illinois' second-largest city with affordable housingStrong job market near I-88 tech corridorNorth Aurora neighborhoods significantly safer than city average

$268K

Median Home Price

$1,380

Median Rent / Mo

50 min

Commute to Loop · Metra BNSF

6/10

School Rating

Find a Local Agent

Find a Local Real Estate Agent in Aurora

Safety data tells you the neighborhood's overall profile. A local agent who works this area regularly knows something the data can't show: which specific blocks, buildings, and streets within that profile are worth your attention — and which ones to skip.

What a local agent knows that the data doesn't

  • Which blocks within the same ZIP code have meaningfully different incident histories
  • Which buildings or developments have had repeated property crime issues
  • Where neighborhood safety boundaries actually fall — not where the map says they do
  • Whether a trend in the data is driven by one hotspot or spread across the whole area

The right question to ask any agent

"The right question to ask any agent: 'Walk me through the safety profile of the specific block I'm considering.' If they can't answer that, they don't know the area well enough."

Aurora at a glance

Median home price$268,000
Median rent / mo$1,380
Commute to Loop50 min · Metra BNSF
School rating6/10
Safety score52/100 (D+)
Crime in Aurora has been stable year-over-year. A local agent can confirm whether that stability holds at the block level for your specific target area.

Ready to find an agent?

Look for someone who can speak to Aurora's safety profile at the block level — not just the neighborhood average.

Connect with a local agent

Referral partner link — coming soon

Home Security

Protect Your New Home in Aurora

A home security system is worth considering in any new home — not because of fear, but because moving is a natural moment to assess what's already in place and what you might want to add. The right setup depends on your specific address, not just the neighborhood average.

What the safety score tells you about security needs

D+

Below Average Safety

Safety score: 52/100 · Property crime: 28.6/1k residents

A lower safety score means property crime is more common in this area than average. A monitored alarm system is a practical investment here — it also qualifies for a discount on most Illinois homeowners insurance policies.

First 30 days in any new home

  • 1.Re-key all exterior locks — you don't know who has copies from the previous owner or tenant
  • 2.Test all existing window and door locks; replace any that don't latch securely
  • 3.Install a video doorbell on the primary entry — covers package theft and visitor logs
  • 4.Add motion-activated lighting at rear and side entries
  • 5.Locate your electrical panel, water shutoff, and any existing alarm system hardware

Property crime in context

Aurora's property crime rate is 28.6 per 1,000 residents (Illinois average: 19.8/1k). This is above the Illinois average. A monitored alarm system is a practical addition here — it also qualifies for a discount on most Illinois homeowners insurance policies.

Source: Illinois State Police Annual Report. Property crime includes burglary, theft, and motor vehicle theft.

What to look for when comparing systems

Professional monitoring vs. self-monitoring

Professional monitoring dispatches police or fire automatically. Self-monitoring sends alerts to your phone — you decide whether to call. Cost difference is typically $10–$30/month.

Contract length

Some providers require 2–3 year contracts. Month-to-month options exist but often cost more per month. Factor this in if you're renting or unsure how long you'll stay.

Insurance discount eligibility

Most Illinois homeowners and renters insurers offer a 5–15% discount for a professionally monitored system. Ask your insurer what documentation they require before you sign up.

Equipment ownership

Some systems lease equipment; others let you own it outright. Owned equipment moves with you. Leased equipment stays with the property — confirm before signing.

Stay informed after you move

Sign up for IllinoisCrime.com ZIP alerts for 60502 — free weekly safety summaries and breaking incident alerts for your specific area.

Ready to compare systems?

See side-by-side pricing, contract terms, and monitoring options for systems available in Aurora.

Compare home security options

Security affiliate link — coming soon

Insurance Implications

What Moving to Aurora Could Mean for Your Insurance

Insurers use your specific address — not just your neighborhood — to calculate premiums. Crime data is one input among several, alongside your home's age, construction type, claims history, and the carrier's own loss experience in that ZIP code. What the safety score tells you is where your address sits relative to the state, which is useful context when you're shopping quotes.

How location factors into insurance pricing

Crime and theft data

Carriers pull ZIP-level crime data — particularly property crime rates — as part of their underwriting model. A lower property crime rate in your area is generally a favorable signal, though it's one factor among many and its weight varies by carrier.

Claims history for the address

Insurers also look at prior claims filed at your specific address, not just the neighborhood. A home with a history of water damage or theft claims may carry a higher rate regardless of the surrounding area's safety score.

ZIP code loss experience

Beyond crime, carriers track their own payout history by ZIP code. A ZIP with high weather-related claims or frequent liability incidents can affect rates even in a low-crime area.

Security system discounts

Most Illinois homeowners and renters insurers offer a discount for a professionally monitored alarm system. The range varies by carrier — ask specifically what documentation is required and whether the discount applies to both dwelling and personal property coverage.

What to know before you apply

Illinois insurers will pull your new address's claim history and crime data automatically during underwriting. Be accurate about prior claims — misrepresentation can void coverage.

Aurora's safety profile as an underwriting input

D+

Safety grade

28.6/1k

Property crime rate

Aurora's property crime rate is above the Illinois average of 19.8/1k. This may be a factor in your premium, though its weight varies significantly by carrier. Shopping multiple quotes is especially worthwhile here.

Questions worth asking when you get quotes

  • 1.Does my new address's crime index affect my rate, and by how much?
  • 2.What discount do you offer for a professionally monitored alarm system?
  • 3.Does the prior claims history at this address affect my premium?
  • 4.How does this ZIP code's loss experience compare to my current address?

Ready to compare rates?

Get quotes from multiple Illinois-licensed carriers using your new Aurora address.

Compare insurance quotes

Insurance affiliate link — coming soon

Stay informed after you move

Subscribe to Crime Pulse Daily — get breaking alerts, weekly safety reports, and most wanted updates for your ZIP.

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