Is Arlington or San Antonio Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Arlington is safer than San Antonio (Safety Score 21/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 2,896 per 100,000 versus 5,219 for San Antonio — 45% lower. Arlington has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Arlington has a 49% lower rate.
Note: San Antonio is 3.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Arlington — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Antonio — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Arlington, TX
San Antonio, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Arlington | San Antonio | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,896.4 | 5,219.0 | -2,322.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 483.7 | 595.3 | -111.6 |
| Murder Rate | 4.3 | 8.4 | -4.1 |
| Rape Rate | 71.3 | 83.7 | -12.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 60.0 | 108.4 | -48.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 347.4 | 393.7 | -46.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,412.7 | 4,623.6 | -2,210.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 263.9 | 495.6 | -231.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,737.7 | 3,291.8 | -1,554.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 411.2 | 836.3 | -425.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Arlington or San Antonio safer?
Arlington is safer with a total crime rate of 2,896 per 100K vs 5,219 for San Antonio — a 45% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Arlington has a violent crime rate of 483.7 per 100K while San Antonio has 595.3. Arlington has lower violent crime.
About Arlington, TX
Arlington, Texas, a large city in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, is home to AT&T Stadium and Six Flags Over Texas. It is the largest city in the state without a major public transit system. With a safety score of 21/100 and a population coverage of 399,840, Arlington has a total crime rate of 2,896.4 per 100,000 residents.
About San Antonio, TX
San Antonio, a South Texas city famed for the Alamo, sits along the Balcones Escarpment. Its population is predominantly Hispanic, reflecting a rich blend of cultures. With a safety score of 3/100 and a population coverage of 1,514,458, San Antonio has a total crime rate of 5,219.0 per 100,000 residents.