Is Charlottesville or Richmond Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Richmond is safer than Charlottesville (Safety Score 12/100 vs 12/100), with a total crime rate of 3,516 per 100,000 versus 3,550 for Charlottesville — 1% lower. Charlottesville has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Charlottesville has a 91% lower rate.
Note: Richmond is 5.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Charlottesville — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Richmond — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Charlottesville, VA
Richmond, VA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Charlottesville | Richmond | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,550.1 | 3,516.3 | +33.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 359.0 | 336.9 | +22.1 |
| Murder Rate | 2.2 | 24.2 | -21.9 |
| Rape Rate | 42.4 | 18.6 | +23.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 60.2 | 94.5 | -34.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 254.2 | 199.7 | +54.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,191.1 | 3,179.4 | +11.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 240.8 | 265.3 | -24.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,660.3 | 2,386.9 | +273.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 289.9 | 527.2 | -237.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Charlottesville or Richmond safer?
Richmond is safer with a total crime rate of 3,516 per 100K vs 3,550 for Charlottesville — a 1% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Charlottesville has a violent crime rate of 359.0 per 100K while Richmond has 336.9. Richmond has lower violent crime.
About Charlottesville, VA
Charlottesville, home to Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, is a university town nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The city is predominantly white, with a significant student population from the University of Virginia. With a safety score of 12/100 and a population coverage of 44,844, Charlottesville has a total crime rate of 3,550.1 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 12/100 and a population coverage of 231,805, Richmond has a total crime rate of 3,516.3 per 100,000 residents.