Is Asheville or Roanoke City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Roanoke City is safer than Asheville (Safety Score 5/100 vs 4/100), with a total crime rate of 4,676 per 100,000 versus 4,691 for Asheville — 0% lower. Asheville has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Roanoke City has a 22% lower rate.
Asheville — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Roanoke City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Asheville, NC
Roanoke City, VA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Asheville | Roanoke City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,691.3 | 4,676.0 | +15.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 796.1 | 620.5 | +175.6 |
| Murder Rate | 12.6 | 11.3 | +1.3 |
| Rape Rate | 86.1 | 86.6 | -0.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 113.4 | 92.8 | +20.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 583.9 | 429.8 | +154.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,895.2 | 4,055.6 | -160.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 601.8 | 387.5 | +214.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,956.3 | 3,273.3 | -317.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 337.1 | 394.7 | -57.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Asheville or Roanoke City safer?
Roanoke City is safer with a total crime rate of 4,676 per 100K vs 4,691 for Asheville — a 0% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Asheville has a violent crime rate of 796.1 per 100K while Roanoke City has 620.5. Roanoke City has lower violent crime.
About Asheville, NC
Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville is a vibrant city known for its arts scene and the historic Biltmore Estate. Its population, predominantly white, enjoys a unique blend of Appalachian heritage and progressive culture. With a safety score of 4/100 and a population coverage of 95,219, Asheville has a total crime rate of 4,691.3 per 100,000 residents.
About Roanoke City, VA
Roanoke, Virginia, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, is known as the "Star City" for its illuminated mountain star. This independent city serves as a regional hub for southwest Virginia, with a diverse population of around 100,000 residents. With a safety score of 5/100 and a population coverage of 97,027, Roanoke City has a total crime rate of 4,676.0 per 100,000 residents.