Is Fort Smith or Little Rock Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Fort Smith is safer than Little Rock (Safety Score 5/100 vs 1/100), with a total crime rate of 4,528 per 100,000 versus 6,887 for Little Rock — 34% lower. Fort Smith has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Fort Smith has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Little Rock is 2.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Fort Smith — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Little Rock — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Fort Smith, AR
Little Rock, AR
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Fort Smith | Little Rock | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,527.8 | 6,886.8 | -2,358.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 843.6 | 1,672.5 | -828.9 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 17.6 | -17.6 |
| Rape Rate | 90.0 | 115.1 | -25.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 65.6 | 217.9 | -152.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 686.8 | 1,321.4 | -634.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,684.3 | 5,214.3 | -1,530.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 466.8 | 937.1 | -470.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,904.1 | 3,823.8 | -919.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 313.4 | 453.4 | -140.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fort Smith or Little Rock safer?
Fort Smith is safer with a total crime rate of 4,528 per 100K vs 6,887 for Little Rock — a 34% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Fort Smith has a violent crime rate of 843.6 per 100K while Little Rock has 1,672.5. Fort Smith has lower violent crime.
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.
About Little Rock, AR
Little Rock, Arkansas, a city along the Arkansas River, is notable as the site of the 1957 Central High School desegregation crisis. Its population is approximately 203,000, serving as the state capital and a regional hub for commerce and transportation. With a safety score of 1/100 and a population coverage of 204,247, Little Rock has a total crime rate of 6,886.8 per 100,000 residents.