Is Little Rock or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Phoenix is safer than Little Rock (Safety Score 17/100 vs 1/100), with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100,000 versus 6,887 for Little Rock — 55% lower. Little Rock has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where Phoenix has a 55% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 8.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Little Rock — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Little Rock, AR
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Little Rock | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 6,886.8 | 3,125.4 | +3,761.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,672.5 | 800.0 | +872.5 |
| Murder Rate | 17.6 | 8.4 | +9.3 |
| Rape Rate | 115.1 | 64.3 | +50.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 217.9 | 181.6 | +36.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 1,321.4 | 545.3 | +776.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 5,214.3 | 2,325.3 | +2,888.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 937.1 | 317.2 | +619.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,823.8 | 1,582.1 | +2,241.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 453.4 | 426.0 | +27.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Little Rock or Phoenix safer?
Phoenix is safer with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100K vs 6,887 for Little Rock — a 55% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Little Rock has a violent crime rate of 1,672.5 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Phoenix has lower violent crime.
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.
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.