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Bristol, VA vs Richmond, VA Crime Comparison

Side-by-side crime rates, safety scores, and trends based on FBI data.

Full report: Bristol crime rate · Richmond crime rate

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Is Bristol, VA or Richmond, VA Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Bristol, VA is safer than Richmond, VA (Safety Score 13/100 vs 13/100), with a total crime rate of 3,463 per 100,000 versus 3,516 for Richmond, VA — 2% lower. Bristol has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.

The biggest difference is in murder, where Bristol has a 100% lower rate.

Note: Richmond is 13.8x 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 MORE DANGEROUS than Bristol, VA?

Bristol — 5-Year Trend

Increasing Violent Increasing Property Increasing Total

Richmond — 5-Year Trend

Decreasing Violent Decreasing Property Decreasing Total

Bristol, VA

Bristol, VA
Safety Score 13/100
Coverage 16,775
Total Crime Rate 3,463.5
Category Wins 4/7

Richmond, VA

Richmond, VA
Safety Score 13/100
Coverage 231,805
Total Crime Rate 3,516.3
Category Wins 3/7

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type Bristol Richmond Difference
Total Crime Rate 3,463.5 3,516.3 -52.8
Violent Crime Rate 435.2 336.9 +98.3
Murder Rate 0.0 24.2 -24.2
Rape Rate 95.4 18.6 +76.8
Robbery Rate 35.8 94.5 -58.7
Aggravated Assault Rate 304.0 199.7 +104.3
Property Crime Rate 3,028.3 3,179.4 -151.1
Burglary Rate 292.1 265.3 +26.8
Larceny-Theft Rate 2,563.3 2,386.9 +176.4
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 172.9 527.2 -354.3

All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.

Moving from Bristol, VA to Richmond, VA?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bristol or Richmond safer?

Bristol, VA is safer with a total crime rate of 3,463 per 100K vs 3,516 for Richmond, VA — a 2% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Bristol has a violent crime rate of 435.2 per 100K while Richmond has 336.9. Richmond 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 Richmond, VA

Richmond, Virginia, a city pivotal during the Civil War, sits along the fall line of the James River. It's a diverse city, home to a vibrant arts scene and a growing population of young professionals. With a safety score of 13/100 and a population coverage of 231,805, Richmond has a total crime rate of 3,516.3 per 100,000 residents.

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