Moving from Norfolk, VA to Portsmouth, VA?
The Moving Checklist Planner turns your move-in date into a dated checklist, packing inventory and budget — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.
Is Norfolk, VA or Portsmouth, VA Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Norfolk, VA is safer than Portsmouth, VA (Safety Score 7/100 vs 5/100), with a total crime rate of 4,242 per 100,000 versus 4,613 for Portsmouth, VA — 8% lower. Norfolk has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Norfolk has a 57% lower rate.
Note: Norfolk is 2.4x 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 MORE DANGEROUS than Norfolk, VA?
Norfolk — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Portsmouth — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Norfolk, VA
Portsmouth, VA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Norfolk | Portsmouth | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,242.0 | 4,613.2 | -371.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 469.5 | 752.4 | -282.9 |
| Murder Rate | 16.1 | 37.1 | -21.0 |
| Rape Rate | 40.4 | 36.0 | +4.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.2 | 167.8 | -90.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 335.9 | 511.6 | -175.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,772.5 | 3,860.8 | -88.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 254.3 | 424.1 | -169.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,122.9 | 2,920.1 | +202.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.3 | 516.7 | -121.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Moving from Norfolk, VA to Portsmouth, VA?
The Moving Checklist Planner turns your move-in date into a dated checklist, packing inventory and budget — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Norfolk or Portsmouth safer?
Norfolk, VA is safer with a total crime rate of 4,242 per 100K vs 4,613 for Portsmouth, VA — a 8% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Norfolk has a violent crime rate of 469.5 per 100K while Portsmouth has 752.4. Norfolk has lower violent crime.
About Norfolk, VA
Norfolk, a historic port city in Southeast Virginia, is home to the world's largest naval base. Its waterfront location at the mouth of the Elizabeth River shapes its identity and economy, drawing a diverse population. With a safety score of 7/100 and a population coverage of 230,460, Norfolk has a total crime rate of 4,242.0 per 100,000 residents.
About Portsmouth, VA
Portsmouth, Virginia, established in 1752, sits across the Elizabeth River from Norfolk. Home to the historic Gosport Shipyard, it's a diverse city with a significant African American population. With a safety score of 5/100 and a population coverage of 97,156, Portsmouth has a total crime rate of 4,613.2 per 100,000 residents.