Is New York City or Virginia Beach Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Virginia Beach is safer than New York City (Safety Score 48/100 vs 19/100), with a total crime rate of 1,733 per 100,000 versus 3,040 for New York City — 43% lower. New York City has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Virginia Beach has a 86% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 18.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
New York City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Virginia Beach — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New York City, NY
Virginia Beach, VA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | New York City | Virginia Beach | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,039.7 | 1,733.3 | +1,306.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 671.4 | 93.4 | +578.1 |
| Murder Rate | 3.9 | 2.9 | +1.1 |
| Rape Rate | 23.4 | 18.5 | +5.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 187.5 | 31.6 | +155.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 456.2 | 39.3 | +416.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,368.3 | 1,639.9 | +728.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 154.7 | 83.9 | +70.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,015.0 | 1,446.8 | +568.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 198.5 | 109.2 | +89.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is New York City or Virginia Beach safer?
Virginia Beach is safer with a total crime rate of 1,733 per 100K vs 3,040 for New York City — a 43% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
New York City has a violent crime rate of 671.4 per 100K while Virginia Beach has 93.4. Virginia Beach has lower violent crime.
About New York City, NY
New York City, a global financial hub, sits at the mouth of the Hudson River. Home to the iconic Statue of Liberty, its five boroughs house over 8 million people, making it the most populous city in the United States. With a safety score of 19/100 and a population coverage of 8,299,271, New York City has a total crime rate of 3,039.7 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.