Moving from Petersburg, VA to Virginia Beach, 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 Petersburg or Virginia Beach Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Virginia Beach is safer than Petersburg (Safety Score 49/100 vs 9/100), with a total crime rate of 1,733 per 100,000 versus 3,933 for Petersburg — 56% lower. Petersburg has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Virginia Beach has a 94% lower rate.
Note: Virginia Beach is 13.6x 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 Petersburg, VA?
Petersburg — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Virginia Beach — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Petersburg, VA
Virginia Beach, VA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Petersburg | Virginia Beach | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,932.9 | 1,733.3 | +2,199.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,043.6 | 93.4 | +950.2 |
| Murder Rate | 44.7 | 2.9 | +41.9 |
| Rape Rate | 62.6 | 18.5 | +44.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 98.4 | 31.6 | +66.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 837.9 | 39.3 | +798.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,889.3 | 1,639.9 | +1,249.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 286.2 | 83.9 | +202.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,185.6 | 1,446.8 | +738.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 417.4 | 109.2 | +308.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Moving from Petersburg, VA to Virginia Beach, 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 Petersburg or Virginia Beach safer?
Virginia Beach is safer with a total crime rate of 1,733 per 100K vs 3,933 for Petersburg — a 56% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Petersburg has a violent crime rate of 1,043.6 per 100K while Virginia Beach has 93.4. Virginia Beach has lower violent crime.
About Petersburg, VA
Petersburg, a historic city on the Appomattox River, played a pivotal role in the American Civil War. Its population is predominantly African American, contributing to a rich cultural heritage. With a safety score of 9/100 and a population coverage of 33,538, Petersburg has a total crime rate of 3,932.9 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.