Is Fairfax City or Virginia Beach Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Virginia Beach is safer than Fairfax City (Safety Score 48/100 vs 14/100), with a total crime rate of 1,733 per 100,000 versus 3,432 for Fairfax City — 49% lower. Fairfax City has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Fairfax City has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Virginia Beach is 17.7x 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
Virginia Beach — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Fairfax City, VA
Virginia Beach, VA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Fairfax City | Virginia Beach | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,431.8 | 1,733.3 | +1,698.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 128.5 | 93.4 | +35.2 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.9 | -2.9 |
| Rape Rate | 11.7 | 18.5 | -6.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 46.7 | 31.6 | +15.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 70.1 | 39.3 | +30.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,303.2 | 1,639.9 | +1,663.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 62.3 | 83.9 | -21.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,104.6 | 1,446.8 | +1,657.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 136.3 | 109.2 | +27.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fairfax City or Virginia Beach safer?
Virginia Beach is safer with a total crime rate of 1,733 per 100K vs 3,432 for Fairfax City — a 49% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Fairfax City has a violent crime rate of 128.5 per 100K while Virginia Beach has 93.4. Virginia Beach 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 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.