Is Falls Church or Virginia Beach Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Falls Church is safer than Virginia Beach (Safety Score 52/100 vs 48/100), with a total crime rate of 1,622 per 100,000 versus 1,733 for Virginia Beach — 6% lower. Falls Church has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Falls Church has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Virginia Beach is 30.8x 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
Virginia Beach — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Falls Church, VA
Virginia Beach, VA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Falls Church | Virginia Beach | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,621.5 | 1,733.3 | -111.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 101.3 | 93.4 | +8.0 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.9 | -2.9 |
| Rape Rate | 0.0 | 18.5 | -18.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 47.3 | 31.6 | +15.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 54.1 | 39.3 | +14.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,520.2 | 1,639.9 | -119.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 81.1 | 83.9 | -2.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,331.0 | 1,446.8 | -115.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 108.1 | 109.2 | -1.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Falls Church or Virginia Beach safer?
Falls Church is safer with a total crime rate of 1,622 per 100K vs 1,733 for Virginia Beach — a 6% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Falls Church has a violent crime rate of 101.3 per 100K while Virginia Beach has 93.4. Virginia Beach 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 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.