Moving from Bristol, VA to Norfolk, VA?
The Moving Checklist Planner turns your move-in date into a dated checklist, packing inventory and budget — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.
Is Bristol, VA or Norfolk, VA Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Bristol, VA is safer than Norfolk, VA (Safety Score 13/100 vs 7/100), with a total crime rate of 3,463 per 100,000 versus 4,242 for Norfolk, VA — 18% lower. Bristol has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Bristol has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Norfolk is 13.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Quiz: which of these is SAFER than Bristol, VA?
Bristol — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Norfolk — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bristol, VA
Norfolk, VA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Bristol | Norfolk | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,463.5 | 4,242.0 | -778.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 435.2 | 469.5 | -34.3 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 16.1 | -16.1 |
| Rape Rate | 95.4 | 40.4 | +55.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 35.8 | 77.2 | -41.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 304.0 | 335.9 | -31.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,028.3 | 3,772.5 | -744.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 292.1 | 254.3 | +37.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,563.3 | 3,122.9 | -559.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 172.9 | 395.3 | -222.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Moving from Bristol, VA to Norfolk, VA?
The Moving Checklist Planner turns your move-in date into a dated checklist, packing inventory and budget — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bristol or Norfolk safer?
Bristol, VA is safer with a total crime rate of 3,463 per 100K vs 4,242 for Norfolk, VA — a 18% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Bristol has a violent crime rate of 435.2 per 100K while Norfolk has 469.5. Bristol has lower violent crime.
About Bristol, VA
Nestled in Southwest Virginia's Appalachian Mountains, Bristol is a twin city with its Tennessee counterpart, sharing State Street as a unique border. It holds the distinction as the "Birthplace of Country Music," a heritage deeply rooted in its culture. With a safety score of 13/100 and a population coverage of 16,775, Bristol has a total crime rate of 3,463.5 per 100,000 residents.
About Norfolk, VA
Norfolk, a historic port city in Southeast Virginia, is home to the world's largest naval base. Its waterfront location at the mouth of the Elizabeth River shapes its identity and economy, drawing a diverse population. With a safety score of 7/100 and a population coverage of 230,460, Norfolk has a total crime rate of 4,242.0 per 100,000 residents.