Is Fairfax City or Richmond Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Fairfax City is safer than Richmond (Safety Score 14/100 vs 12/100), with a total crime rate of 3,432 per 100,000 versus 3,516 for Richmond — 2% lower. Fairfax City has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Fairfax City has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Richmond is 9.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Fairfax City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Richmond — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Fairfax City, VA
Richmond, VA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Fairfax City | Richmond | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,431.8 | 3,516.3 | -84.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 128.5 | 336.9 | -208.4 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 24.2 | -24.2 |
| Rape Rate | 11.7 | 18.6 | -6.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 46.7 | 94.5 | -47.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 70.1 | 199.7 | -129.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,303.2 | 3,179.4 | +123.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 62.3 | 265.3 | -203.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,104.6 | 2,386.9 | +717.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 136.3 | 527.2 | -390.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fairfax City or Richmond safer?
Fairfax City is safer with a total crime rate of 3,432 per 100K vs 3,516 for Richmond — a 2% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Fairfax City has a violent crime rate of 128.5 per 100K while Richmond has 336.9. Fairfax City has lower violent crime.
About Fairfax City, VA
Fairfax City, a Northern Virginia independent city, boasts a rich colonial history as the site of the first court to repudiate the Stamp Act. It is home to George Mason University, a major public research institution, drawing a diverse population. With a safety score of 14/100 and a population coverage of 25,672, Fairfax City has a total crime rate of 3,431.8 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.