Is Los Angeles or Virginia Beach Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Virginia Beach is safer than Los Angeles (Safety Score 48/100 vs 35/100), with a total crime rate of 1,733 per 100,000 versus 2,212 for Los Angeles — 22% lower. Los Angeles has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Virginia Beach has a 87% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 8.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Los Angeles — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Virginia Beach — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Angeles, CA
Virginia Beach, VA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Los Angeles | Virginia Beach | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,212.5 | 1,733.3 | +479.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 728.5 | 93.4 | +635.2 |
| Murder Rate | 7.0 | 2.9 | +4.1 |
| Rape Rate | 40.3 | 18.5 | +21.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 209.9 | 31.6 | +178.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 471.4 | 39.3 | +432.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,483.9 | 1,639.9 | -156.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 372.8 | 83.9 | +288.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 851.5 | 1,446.8 | -595.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 259.6 | 109.2 | +150.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Los Angeles or Virginia Beach safer?
Virginia Beach is safer with a total crime rate of 1,733 per 100K vs 2,212 for Los Angeles — a 22% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Los Angeles has a violent crime rate of 728.5 per 100K while Virginia Beach has 93.4. Virginia Beach has lower violent crime.
About Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles, a sprawling Southern California metropolis, is a major Pacific Rim gateway, home to Hollywood's film industry. Its diverse population of nearly 4 million people resides across a vast urban landscape bordered by mountains and the Pacific Ocean. With a safety score of 35/100 and a population coverage of 3,796,352, Los Angeles has a total crime rate of 2,212.5 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.