Is Fredericksburg or Richmond Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Richmond is safer than Fredericksburg (Safety Score 12/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 3,516 per 100,000 versus 3,674 for Fredericksburg — 4% lower. Fredericksburg has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Fredericksburg has a 86% lower rate.
Note: Richmond is 7.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Fredericksburg — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Richmond — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Fredericksburg, VA
Richmond, VA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Fredericksburg | Richmond | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,674.4 | 3,516.3 | +158.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 603.9 | 336.9 | +267.0 |
| Murder Rate | 3.4 | 24.2 | -20.8 |
| Rape Rate | 67.9 | 18.6 | +49.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 64.5 | 94.5 | -30.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 468.2 | 199.7 | +268.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,070.5 | 3,179.4 | -108.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 118.8 | 265.3 | -146.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,822.8 | 2,386.9 | +435.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 128.9 | 527.2 | -398.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fredericksburg or Richmond safer?
Richmond is safer with a total crime rate of 3,516 per 100K vs 3,674 for Fredericksburg — a 4% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Fredericksburg has a violent crime rate of 603.9 per 100K while Richmond has 336.9. Richmond has lower violent crime.
About Fredericksburg, VA
Fredericksburg, Virginia, a city steeped in Civil War history, straddles the Rappahannock River in the Fredericksburg-Spotsylvania MSA. Its proximity to Washington D.C. and Richmond draws a diverse population to its historic downtown and growing suburbs. With a safety score of 11/100 and a population coverage of 29,474, Fredericksburg has a total crime rate of 3,674.4 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.