Is Tampa or Virginia Beach Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Virginia Beach is safer than Tampa (Safety Score 48/100 vs 43/100), with a total crime rate of 1,733 per 100,000 versus 1,913 for Tampa — 9% lower. Tampa has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Virginia Beach has a 79% lower rate.
Tampa — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Virginia Beach — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Tampa, FL
Virginia Beach, VA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Tampa | Virginia Beach | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,912.7 | 1,733.3 | +179.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 447.3 | 93.4 | +354.0 |
| Murder Rate | 8.8 | 2.9 | +6.0 |
| Rape Rate | 41.9 | 18.5 | +23.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 59.0 | 31.6 | +27.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 335.0 | 39.3 | +295.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,465.3 | 1,639.9 | -174.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 167.4 | 83.9 | +83.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,154.5 | 1,446.8 | -292.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 143.4 | 109.2 | +34.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tampa or Virginia Beach safer?
Virginia Beach is safer with a total crime rate of 1,733 per 100K vs 1,913 for Tampa — a 9% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Tampa has a violent crime rate of 447.3 per 100K while Virginia Beach has 93.4. Virginia Beach has lower violent crime.
About Tampa, FL
Tampa, a Gulf Coast city, boasts a rich Cuban heritage from its cigar industry days. It's a diverse port city situated on Tampa Bay, with a significant Hispanic population. With a safety score of 43/100 and a population coverage of 408,646, Tampa has a total crime rate of 1,912.7 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.