Is Fort Smith or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Fort Smith (Safety Score 38/100 vs 5/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 4,528 for Fort Smith — 54% 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: San Diego is 15.4x 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
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Fort Smith, AR
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Fort Smith | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,527.8 | 2,082.4 | +2,445.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 843.6 | 412.4 | +431.2 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.5 | -2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 90.0 | 21.4 | +68.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 65.6 | 77.4 | -11.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 686.8 | 310.9 | +375.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,684.3 | 1,670.0 | +2,014.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 466.8 | 187.4 | +279.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,904.1 | 1,087.1 | +1,817.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 313.4 | 395.5 | -82.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fort Smith or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 4,528 for Fort Smith — a 54% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Fort Smith has a violent crime rate of 843.6 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. San Diego 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 San Diego, CA
San Diego, California, a major port city with a significant Hispanic population, sits on the Pacific Ocean just north of the Mexican border. Known for its mild climate and Balboa Park, it's also home to a large naval presence. With a safety score of 38/100 and a population coverage of 1,389,024, San Diego has a total crime rate of 2,082.4 per 100,000 residents.