Is Hot Springs or Little Rock Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Hot Springs is safer than Little Rock (Safety Score 4/100 vs 1/100), with a total crime rate of 4,703 per 100,000 versus 6,887 for Little Rock — 32% lower. Hot Springs has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Hot Springs has a 76% lower rate.
Note: Little Rock is 5.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Hot Springs — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Little Rock — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Hot Springs, AR
Little Rock, AR
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Hot Springs | Little Rock | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,702.5 | 6,886.8 | -2,184.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.5 | 1,672.5 | -1,133.0 |
| Murder Rate | 15.8 | 17.6 | -1.8 |
| Rape Rate | 113.2 | 115.1 | -1.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 52.6 | 217.9 | -165.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 352.6 | 1,321.4 | -968.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,163.1 | 5,214.3 | -1,051.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 702.6 | 937.1 | -234.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,139.4 | 3,823.8 | -684.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 321.0 | 453.4 | -132.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hot Springs or Little Rock safer?
Hot Springs is safer with a total crime rate of 4,703 per 100K vs 6,887 for Little Rock — a 32% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Hot Springs has a violent crime rate of 539.5 per 100K while Little Rock has 1,672.5. Hot Springs has lower violent crime.
About Hot Springs, AR
Nestled in the Ouachita Mountains, Hot Springs, Arkansas, is renowned for its thermal waters and Bathhouse Row. Historically a resort town, its population hovers around 38,000, attracting visitors to its natural spring-fed attractions. With a safety score of 4/100 and a population coverage of 38,001, Hot Springs has a total crime rate of 4,702.5 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.