Is Little Rock or West Memphis Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, West Memphis is safer than Little Rock (Safety Score 1/100 vs 1/100), with a total crime rate of 6,584 per 100,000 versus 6,887 for Little Rock — 4% lower. Little Rock has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Little Rock has a 76% lower rate.
Note: Little Rock is 8.6x 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
West Memphis — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Little Rock, AR
West Memphis, AR
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Little Rock | West Memphis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 6,886.8 | 6,584.2 | +302.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,672.5 | 1,926.6 | -254.1 |
| Murder Rate | 17.6 | 72.0 | -54.4 |
| Rape Rate | 115.1 | 122.8 | -7.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 217.9 | 203.2 | +14.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 1,321.4 | 1,524.3 | -202.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 5,214.3 | 4,657.7 | +556.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 937.1 | 1,067.0 | -129.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,823.8 | 3,006.3 | +817.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 453.4 | 584.3 | -131.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Little Rock or West Memphis safer?
West Memphis is safer with a total crime rate of 6,584 per 100K vs 6,887 for Little Rock — a 4% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Little Rock has a violent crime rate of 1,672.5 per 100K while West Memphis has 1,926.6. Little Rock 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 West Memphis, AR
West Memphis, Arkansas, a Mississippi River town, historically served as a vital railroad hub. It's situated directly across from Memphis, Tennessee, and has a predominantly African American population. With a safety score of 1/100 and a population coverage of 23,617, West Memphis has a total crime rate of 6,584.2 per 100,000 residents.