Is Fayetteville or Fort Smith Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Fayetteville is safer than Fort Smith (Safety Score 23/100 vs 5/100), with a total crime rate of 2,795 per 100,000 versus 4,528 for Fort Smith — 38% lower. Fayetteville has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Fort Smith has a 100% lower rate.
Fayetteville — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Fort Smith — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Fayetteville, AR
Fort Smith, AR
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Fayetteville | Fort Smith | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,794.7 | 4,527.8 | -1,733.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 423.7 | 843.6 | -419.9 |
| Murder Rate | 7.7 | 0.0 | +7.7 |
| Rape Rate | 52.8 | 90.0 | -37.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 26.9 | 65.6 | -38.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 336.3 | 686.8 | -350.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,371.1 | 3,684.3 | -1,313.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 228.7 | 466.8 | -238.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,944.5 | 2,904.1 | -959.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 197.9 | 313.4 | -115.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fayetteville or Fort Smith safer?
Fayetteville is safer with a total crime rate of 2,795 per 100K vs 4,528 for Fort Smith — a 38% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Fayetteville has a violent crime rate of 423.7 per 100K while Fort Smith has 843.6. Fayetteville has lower violent crime.
About Fayetteville, AR
Fayetteville, Arkansas, nestled in the Ozark Mountains, is home to the University of Arkansas and a vibrant arts scene. Its population of over 95,000 residents enjoys a mix of urban amenities and natural beauty. With a safety score of 23/100 and a population coverage of 104,089, Fayetteville has a total crime rate of 2,794.7 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.