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Phoenix vs Virginia Beach Crime Comparison

Side-by-side crime rates, safety scores, and trends based on FBI data.

Full report: Phoenix crime rate · Virginia Beach crime rate

Moving from Phoenix, AZ to Virginia Beach, VA?

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Is Phoenix or Virginia Beach Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Virginia Beach is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 49/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 1,733 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 45% lower. Phoenix has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.

The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Virginia Beach has a 88% lower rate.

Note: Phoenix is 3.7x 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 Phoenix, AZ?

Phoenix — 5-Year Trend

Increasing Violent Decreasing Property Decreasing Total

Virginia Beach — 5-Year Trend

Decreasing Violent Decreasing Property Decreasing Total

Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix, AZ
Safety Score 17/100
Coverage 1,662,809
Total Crime Rate 3,125.4
Category Wins 0/7

Virginia Beach, VA

Virginia Beach, VA
Safety Score 49/100
Coverage 455,155
Total Crime Rate 1,733.3
Category Wins 7/7

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type Phoenix Virginia Beach Difference
Total Crime Rate 3,125.4 1,733.3 +1,392.1
Violent Crime Rate 800.0 93.4 +706.7
Murder Rate 8.4 2.9 +5.5
Rape Rate 64.3 18.5 +45.8
Robbery Rate 181.6 31.6 +150.0
Aggravated Assault Rate 545.3 39.3 +506.0
Property Crime Rate 2,325.3 1,639.9 +685.5
Burglary Rate 317.2 83.9 +233.2
Larceny-Theft Rate 1,582.1 1,446.8 +135.4
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 426.0 109.2 +316.8

All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.

Moving from Phoenix, AZ to Virginia Beach, VA?

An out-of-state move adds new driver's license, plates, voter registration and deadlines that differ by state. The Moving Checklist Planner dates every task from your move-in day — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.

Get the planner →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Phoenix or Virginia Beach safer?

Virginia Beach is safer with a total crime rate of 1,733 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 45% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Phoenix has a violent crime rate of 800.0 per 100K while Virginia Beach has 93.4. Virginia Beach has lower violent crime.

About Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix, Arizona, the "Valley of the Sun," is a sprawling desert metropolis with a rich Native American heritage, including the Hohokam people. It's the fifth-largest city in the United States by population, experiencing rapid growth in recent decades. With a safety score of 17/100 and a population coverage of 1,662,809, Phoenix has a total crime rate of 3,125.4 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.

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