Is Jonesboro or Little Rock Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Jonesboro is safer than Little Rock (Safety Score 10/100 vs 1/100), with a total crime rate of 3,765 per 100,000 versus 6,887 for Little Rock — 45% lower. Jonesboro has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Jonesboro has a 72% lower rate.
Note: Little Rock is 2.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Jonesboro — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Little Rock — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Jonesboro, AR
Little Rock, AR
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Jonesboro | Little Rock | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,764.7 | 6,886.8 | -3,122.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 720.0 | 1,672.5 | -952.5 |
| Murder Rate | 6.2 | 17.6 | -11.5 |
| Rape Rate | 103.4 | 115.1 | -11.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 61.5 | 217.9 | -156.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 548.9 | 1,321.4 | -772.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,044.7 | 5,214.3 | -2,169.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 929.2 | 937.1 | -7.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,892.8 | 3,823.8 | -1,931.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 222.8 | 453.4 | -230.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jonesboro or Little Rock safer?
Jonesboro is safer with a total crime rate of 3,765 per 100K vs 6,887 for Little Rock — a 45% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Jonesboro has a violent crime rate of 720.0 per 100K while Little Rock has 1,672.5. Jonesboro has lower violent crime.
About Jonesboro, AR
Jonesboro, a regional hub in Northeast Arkansas, sits at the intersection of the Ozark Foothills and the Mississippi Alluvial Plain. Home to Arkansas State University, it blends agricultural heritage with a growing urban landscape. With a safety score of 10/100 and a population coverage of 81,256, Jonesboro has a total crime rate of 3,764.7 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.