Is Virginia Beach Safer Than Charlotte - Mecklenburg? Crime Rates (2024 FBI Data)

Is Charlotte - Mecklenburg or Virginia Beach Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Virginia Beach is safer than Charlotte - Mecklenburg (Safety Score 48/100 vs 6/100), with a total crime rate of 1,733 per 100,000 versus 4,439 for Charlotte - Mecklenburg — 61% lower. Charlotte - Mecklenburg has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.

The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Virginia Beach has a 87% lower rate.

Note: Charlotte - Mecklenburg 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.

Charlotte - Mecklenburg — 5-Year Trend

Violent

Property

Total

Virginia Beach — 5-Year Trend

Violent

Property

Total

Charlotte - Mecklenburg, NC

Safety Score 6/100

Coverage 1,003,130

Total Crime Rate 4,439.0

Category Wins 0/7

Virginia Beach, VA

Safety Score 48/100

Coverage 455,155

Total Crime Rate 1,733.3

Category Wins 7/7

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type	Charlotte - Mecklenburg	Virginia Beach	Difference
Total Crime Rate	4,439.0	1,733.3	+2,705.8
Violent Crime Rate	733.7	93.4	+640.3
Murder Rate	10.9	2.9	+8.0
Rape Rate	24.9	18.5	+6.5
Robbery Rate	130.4	31.6	+98.8
Aggravated Assault Rate	567.0	39.3	+527.7
Property Crime Rate	3,705.3	1,639.9	+2,065.4
Burglary Rate	427.1	83.9	+343.1
Larceny-Theft Rate	2,518.2	1,446.8	+1,071.5
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate	760.0	109.2	+650.8

All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Charlotte - Mecklenburg or Virginia Beach safer?

Virginia Beach is safer with a total crime rate of 1,733 per 100K vs 4,439 for Charlotte - Mecklenburg — a 61% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Charlotte - Mecklenburg has a violent crime rate of 733.7 per 100K while Virginia Beach has 93.4. Virginia Beach has lower violent crime.

About Charlotte - Mecklenburg, NC

Charlotte-Mecklenburg, a major financial hub, sits in the Carolina Piedmont. The region is home to the NASCAR Hall of Fame, reflecting its deep ties to motorsports. Its diverse population has grown significantly, making it North Carolina's largest county. With a safety score of 6/100 and a population coverage of 1,003,130, Charlotte - Mecklenburg has a total crime rate of 4,439.0 per 100,000 residents.

Full crime report for Charlotte - Mecklenburg North Carolina overview Most dangerous cities in North Carolina Safest cities in North Carolina

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.

Full crime report for Virginia Beach Virginia overview Most dangerous cities in Virginia Safest cities in Virginia

Charlotte - Mecklenburg vs Virginia Beach Crime Comparison