Is New York City or Virginia Beach Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Virginia Beach is safer than New York City (Safety Score 49/100 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.
Quiz: which of these is SAFER than New York City, NY?
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.
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 49/100 and a population coverage of 455,155, Virginia Beach has a total crime rate of 1,733.3 per 100,000 residents.