Moving from Bristol, VA to Virginia Beach, 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 Virginia Beach, VA Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Virginia Beach, VA is safer than Bristol, VA (Safety Score 49/100 vs 13/100), with a total crime rate of 1,733 per 100,000 versus 3,463 for Bristol, VA — 50% lower. Bristol has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Bristol has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Virginia Beach is 27.1x 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
Violent
Property
Total
Virginia Beach — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bristol, VA
Virginia Beach, VA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Bristol | Virginia Beach | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,463.5 | 1,733.3 | +1,730.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 435.2 | 93.4 | +341.8 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.9 | -2.9 |
| Rape Rate | 95.4 | 18.5 | +76.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 35.8 | 31.6 | +4.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 304.0 | 39.3 | +264.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,028.3 | 1,639.9 | +1,388.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 292.1 | 83.9 | +208.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,563.3 | 1,446.8 | +1,116.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 172.9 | 109.2 | +63.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Moving from Bristol, VA to Virginia Beach, 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 Virginia Beach safer?
Virginia Beach, VA is safer with a total crime rate of 1,733 per 100K vs 3,463 for Bristol, VA — a 50% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Bristol has a violent crime rate of 435.2 per 100K while Virginia Beach has 93.4. Virginia Beach 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 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 49/100 and a population coverage of 455,155, Virginia Beach has a total crime rate of 1,733.3 per 100,000 residents.