Is Fort Smith or Philadelphia Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Fort Smith is safer than Philadelphia (Safety Score 5/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 4,528 per 100,000 versus 5,458 for Philadelphia — 17% lower. Fort Smith has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Fort Smith has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Philadelphia is 17.2x 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
Philadelphia — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Fort Smith, AR
Philadelphia, PA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Fort Smith | Philadelphia | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,527.8 | 5,458.5 | -930.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 843.6 | 910.3 | -66.8 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 16.9 | -16.9 |
| Rape Rate | 90.0 | 46.1 | +43.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 65.6 | 273.2 | -207.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 686.8 | 572.5 | +114.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,684.3 | 4,548.2 | -863.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 466.8 | 319.0 | +147.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,904.1 | 3,223.6 | -319.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 313.4 | 1,005.6 | -692.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fort Smith or Philadelphia safer?
Fort Smith is safer with a total crime rate of 4,528 per 100K vs 5,458 for Philadelphia — a 17% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Fort Smith has a violent crime rate of 843.6 per 100K while Philadelphia has 910.3. 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 Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia, the birthplace of American independence, is Pennsylvania's largest city. Situated along the Delaware River, its diverse population contributes to a rich urban tapestry. With a safety score of 3/100 and a population coverage of 1,549,259, Philadelphia has a total crime rate of 5,458.5 per 100,000 residents.