Moving from Norfolk, VA to Roanoke City, 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 Roanoke City, VA Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Norfolk, VA is safer than Roanoke City, VA (Safety Score 7/100 vs 5/100), with a total crime rate of 4,242 per 100,000 versus 4,676 for Roanoke City, VA — 9% lower. Norfolk has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Roanoke City has a 29% 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 SAFER than Norfolk, VA?
Norfolk — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Roanoke City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Norfolk, VA
Roanoke City, VA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Norfolk | Roanoke City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,242.0 | 4,676.0 | -434.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 469.5 | 620.5 | -151.0 |
| Murder Rate | 16.1 | 11.3 | +4.7 |
| Rape Rate | 40.4 | 86.6 | -46.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.2 | 92.8 | -15.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 335.9 | 429.8 | -93.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,772.5 | 4,055.6 | -283.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 254.3 | 387.5 | -133.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,122.9 | 3,273.3 | -150.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.3 | 394.7 | +0.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Moving from Norfolk, VA to Roanoke City, 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 Roanoke City safer?
Norfolk, VA is safer with a total crime rate of 4,242 per 100K vs 4,676 for Roanoke City, VA — a 9% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Norfolk has a violent crime rate of 469.5 per 100K while Roanoke City has 620.5. 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 Roanoke City, VA
Roanoke, Virginia, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, is known as the "Star City" for its illuminated mountain star. This independent city serves as a regional hub for southwest Virginia, with a diverse population of around 100,000 residents. With a safety score of 5/100 and a population coverage of 97,027, Roanoke City has a total crime rate of 4,676.0 per 100,000 residents.