Is Fort Smith or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Phoenix is safer than Fort Smith (Safety Score 17/100 vs 5/100), with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100,000 versus 4,528 for Fort Smith — 31% lower. Fort Smith has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Fort Smith has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 18.5x 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
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Fort Smith, AR
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Fort Smith | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,527.8 | 3,125.4 | +1,402.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 843.6 | 800.0 | +43.5 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 8.4 | -8.4 |
| Rape Rate | 90.0 | 64.3 | +25.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 65.6 | 181.6 | -116.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 686.8 | 545.3 | +141.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,684.3 | 2,325.3 | +1,358.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 466.8 | 317.2 | +149.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,904.1 | 1,582.1 | +1,321.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 313.4 | 426.0 | -112.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fort Smith or Phoenix safer?
Phoenix is safer with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100K vs 4,528 for Fort Smith — a 31% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Fort Smith has a violent crime rate of 843.6 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Phoenix 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 Phoenix, AZ
Phoenix, Arizona, the "Valley of the Sun," is a sprawling desert metropolis with a rich Native American heritage, including the Hohokam people. It's the fifth-largest city in the United States by population, experiencing rapid growth in recent decades. With a safety score of 17/100 and a population coverage of 1,662,809, Phoenix has a total crime rate of 3,125.4 per 100,000 residents.