Is Chicago or Fort Smith Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Chicago is safer than Fort Smith (Safety Score 8/100 vs 5/100), with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100,000 versus 4,528 for Fort Smith — 11% lower. Chicago has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Fort Smith has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 29.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Fort Smith — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Fort Smith, AR
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Fort Smith | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 4,527.8 | -515.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 843.6 | -303.7 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 0.0 | +17.5 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 90.0 | -31.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 65.6 | +269.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 686.8 | -558.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 3,684.3 | -211.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 466.8 | -172.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 2,904.1 | -585.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 313.4 | +545.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Fort Smith safer?
Chicago is safer with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100K vs 4,528 for Fort Smith — a 11% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Fort Smith has 843.6. Chicago has lower violent crime.
About Chicago, IL
Chicago, Illinois, a major Midwest hub and birthplace of the skyscraper, sits on Lake Michigan's shores. Its diverse population of over 2.7 million people contributes to its vibrant arts and culture scene. With a safety score of 8/100 and a population coverage of 2,638,698, Chicago has a total crime rate of 4,012.2 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.