Is Fredericksburg or Virginia Beach Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Virginia Beach is safer than Fredericksburg (Safety Score 48/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 1,733 per 100,000 versus 3,674 for Fredericksburg — 53% lower. Fredericksburg has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Virginia Beach has a 85% lower rate.
Note: Virginia Beach is 15.4x 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
Virginia Beach — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Fredericksburg, VA
Virginia Beach, VA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Fredericksburg | Virginia Beach | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,674.4 | 1,733.3 | +1,941.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 603.9 | 93.4 | +510.6 |
| Murder Rate | 3.4 | 2.9 | +0.5 |
| Rape Rate | 67.9 | 18.5 | +49.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 64.5 | 31.6 | +32.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 468.2 | 39.3 | +428.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,070.5 | 1,639.9 | +1,430.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 118.8 | 83.9 | +34.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,822.8 | 1,446.8 | +1,376.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 128.9 | 109.2 | +19.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fredericksburg or Virginia Beach safer?
Virginia Beach is safer with a total crime rate of 1,733 per 100K vs 3,674 for Fredericksburg — a 53% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Fredericksburg has a violent crime rate of 603.9 per 100K while Virginia Beach has 93.4. Virginia Beach 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 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.