Is Falls Church or Richmond Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Falls Church is safer than Richmond (Safety Score 52/100 vs 12/100), with a total crime rate of 1,622 per 100,000 versus 3,516 for Richmond — 54% lower. Falls Church has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Falls Church has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Richmond is 15.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Falls Church — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Richmond — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Falls Church, VA
Richmond, VA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Falls Church | Richmond | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,621.5 | 3,516.3 | -1,894.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 101.3 | 336.9 | -235.6 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 24.2 | -24.2 |
| Rape Rate | 0.0 | 18.6 | -18.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 47.3 | 94.5 | -47.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 54.1 | 199.7 | -145.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,520.2 | 3,179.4 | -1,659.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 81.1 | 265.3 | -184.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,331.0 | 2,386.9 | -1,055.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 108.1 | 527.2 | -419.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Falls Church or Richmond safer?
Falls Church is safer with a total crime rate of 1,622 per 100K vs 3,516 for Richmond — a 54% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Falls Church has a violent crime rate of 101.3 per 100K while Richmond has 336.9. Falls Church has lower violent crime.
About Falls Church, VA
Falls Church, Virginia, an independent city since 1948, is a small, densely populated urban area in Northern Virginia. Its historic Falls Church Episcopal church dates to the 1700s, and it's known for its suburban charm and proximity to Washington D.C. With a safety score of 52/100 and a population coverage of 14,801, Falls Church has a total crime rate of 1,621.5 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.