Is Roanoke City or Virginia Beach Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Virginia Beach is safer than Roanoke City (Safety Score 48/100 vs 5/100), with a total crime rate of 1,733 per 100,000 versus 4,676 for Roanoke City — 63% lower. Roanoke City has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Virginia Beach has a 85% lower rate.
Note: Virginia Beach is 4.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Roanoke City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Virginia Beach — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Roanoke City, VA
Virginia Beach, VA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Roanoke City | Virginia Beach | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,676.0 | 1,733.3 | +2,942.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 620.5 | 93.4 | +527.1 |
| Murder Rate | 11.3 | 2.9 | +8.5 |
| Rape Rate | 86.6 | 18.5 | +68.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 92.8 | 31.6 | +61.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 429.8 | 39.3 | +390.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,055.6 | 1,639.9 | +2,415.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 387.5 | 83.9 | +303.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,273.3 | 1,446.8 | +1,826.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 394.7 | 109.2 | +285.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Roanoke City or Virginia Beach safer?
Virginia Beach is safer with a total crime rate of 1,733 per 100K vs 4,676 for Roanoke City — a 63% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Roanoke City has a violent crime rate of 620.5 per 100K while Virginia Beach has 93.4. Virginia Beach has lower violent crime.
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.
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 48/100 and a population coverage of 455,155, Virginia Beach has a total crime rate of 1,733.3 per 100,000 residents.