Is Charlottesville or Virginia Beach Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Virginia Beach is safer than Charlottesville (Safety Score 48/100 vs 12/100), with a total crime rate of 1,733 per 100,000 versus 3,550 for Charlottesville — 51% lower. Charlottesville has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Virginia Beach has a 74% lower rate.
Note: Virginia Beach is 10.1x 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
Virginia Beach — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Charlottesville, VA
Virginia Beach, VA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Charlottesville | Virginia Beach | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,550.1 | 1,733.3 | +1,816.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 359.0 | 93.4 | +265.7 |
| Murder Rate | 2.2 | 2.9 | -0.6 |
| Rape Rate | 42.4 | 18.5 | +23.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 60.2 | 31.6 | +28.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 254.2 | 39.3 | +214.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,191.1 | 1,639.9 | +1,551.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 240.8 | 83.9 | +156.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,660.3 | 1,446.8 | +1,213.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 289.9 | 109.2 | +180.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Charlottesville or Virginia Beach safer?
Virginia Beach is safer with a total crime rate of 1,733 per 100K vs 3,550 for Charlottesville — a 51% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Charlottesville has a violent crime rate of 359.0 per 100K while Virginia Beach has 93.4. Virginia Beach 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 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.