Is San Antonio or Virginia Beach Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Virginia Beach is safer than San Antonio (Safety Score 48/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 1,733 per 100,000 versus 5,219 for San Antonio — 67% lower. San Antonio has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Virginia Beach has a 84% lower rate.
Note: San Antonio is 3.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
San Antonio — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Virginia Beach — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Antonio, TX
Virginia Beach, VA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Antonio | Virginia Beach | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,219.0 | 1,733.3 | +3,485.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 595.3 | 93.4 | +502.0 |
| Murder Rate | 8.4 | 2.9 | +5.5 |
| Rape Rate | 83.7 | 18.5 | +65.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 108.4 | 31.6 | +76.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 393.7 | 39.3 | +354.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,623.6 | 1,639.9 | +2,983.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 495.6 | 83.9 | +411.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,291.8 | 1,446.8 | +1,845.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 836.3 | 109.2 | +727.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Antonio or Virginia Beach safer?
Virginia Beach is safer with a total crime rate of 1,733 per 100K vs 5,219 for San Antonio — a 67% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Antonio has a violent crime rate of 595.3 per 100K while Virginia Beach has 93.4. Virginia Beach has lower violent crime.
About San Antonio, TX
San Antonio, a South Texas city famed for the Alamo, sits along the Balcones Escarpment. Its population is predominantly Hispanic, reflecting a rich blend of cultures. With a safety score of 3/100 and a population coverage of 1,514,458, San Antonio has a total crime rate of 5,219.0 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.