Is Austin or Virginia Beach Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Virginia Beach is safer than Austin (Safety Score 48/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 1,733 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 53% lower. Austin has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Virginia Beach has a 80% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 2.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Austin — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Virginia Beach — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Virginia Beach, VA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Virginia Beach | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 1,733.3 | +1,976.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 93.4 | +374.1 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 2.9 | +3.7 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 18.5 | +49.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 31.6 | +53.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 39.3 | +267.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 1,639.9 | +1,602.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 83.9 | +361.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 1,446.8 | +751.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 109.2 | +489.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Virginia Beach safer?
Virginia Beach is safer with a total crime rate of 1,733 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 53% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Virginia Beach has 93.4. Virginia Beach has lower violent crime.
About Austin, TX
Austin, the "Live Music Capital of the World," is a rapidly growing city in Central Texas. Situated on the Colorado River, it's the state capital and home to a diverse population, including many young professionals drawn to its tech industry. With a safety score of 11/100 and a population coverage of 984,613, Austin has a total crime rate of 3,709.4 per 100,000 residents.
About Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia Beach, a coastal city where the Chesapeake Bay meets the Atlantic, is home to the Naval Air Station Oceana, a major employer. Its population of nearly half a million is diverse, with significant military and retiree communities. With a safety score of 48/100 and a population coverage of 455,155, Virginia Beach has a total crime rate of 1,733.3 per 100,000 residents.