Is Austin or Fort Smith Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Austin is safer than Fort Smith (Safety Score 11/100 vs 5/100), with a total crime rate of 3,709 per 100,000 versus 4,528 for Fort Smith — 18% lower. Austin has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Fort Smith has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 10.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Austin — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Fort Smith — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Fort Smith, AR
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Fort Smith | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 4,527.8 | -818.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 843.6 | -376.1 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 0.0 | +6.6 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 90.0 | -22.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 65.6 | +19.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 686.8 | -379.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 3,684.3 | -442.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 466.8 | -21.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 2,904.1 | -706.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 313.4 | +285.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Fort Smith safer?
Austin is safer with a total crime rate of 3,709 per 100K vs 4,528 for Fort Smith — a 18% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Fort Smith has 843.6. Austin has lower violent crime.
About Austin, TX
Austin, the "Live Music Capital of the World," is a rapidly growing city in Central Texas. Situated on the Colorado River, it's the state capital and home to a diverse population, including many young professionals drawn to its tech industry. With a safety score of 11/100 and a population coverage of 984,613, Austin has a total crime rate of 3,709.4 per 100,000 residents.
About Fort Smith, AR
Fort Smith, once a frontier military post, sits on the Arkansas River bordering Oklahoma. This city of over 89,000 residents is the second-largest urban area in Arkansas. With a safety score of 5/100 and a population coverage of 89,977, Fort Smith has a total crime rate of 4,527.8 per 100,000 residents.