Is Fort Smith or Los Angeles Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Los Angeles is safer than Fort Smith (Safety Score 35/100 vs 5/100), with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100,000 versus 4,528 for Fort Smith — 51% lower. Fort Smith has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Fort Smith has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 42.2x 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
Los Angeles — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Fort Smith, AR
Los Angeles, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Fort Smith | Los Angeles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,527.8 | 2,212.5 | +2,315.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 843.6 | 728.5 | +115.0 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 7.0 | -7.0 |
| Rape Rate | 90.0 | 40.3 | +49.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 65.6 | 209.9 | -144.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 686.8 | 471.4 | +215.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,684.3 | 1,483.9 | +2,200.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 466.8 | 372.8 | +94.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,904.1 | 851.5 | +2,052.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 313.4 | 259.6 | +53.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fort Smith or Los Angeles safer?
Los Angeles is safer with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100K vs 4,528 for Fort Smith — a 51% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Fort Smith has a violent crime rate of 843.6 per 100K while Los Angeles has 728.5. Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles, a sprawling Southern California metropolis, is a major Pacific Rim gateway, home to Hollywood's film industry. Its diverse population of nearly 4 million people resides across a vast urban landscape bordered by mountains and the Pacific Ocean. With a safety score of 35/100 and a population coverage of 3,796,352, Los Angeles has a total crime rate of 2,212.5 per 100,000 residents.