Is Virginia Beach or Williamsburg Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Williamsburg is safer than Virginia Beach (Safety Score 60/100 vs 48/100), with a total crime rate of 1,404 per 100,000 versus 1,733 for Virginia Beach — 19% lower. Virginia Beach has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Virginia Beach has a 54% lower rate.
Note: Virginia Beach is 28.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Virginia Beach — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Williamsburg — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Virginia Beach, VA
Williamsburg, VA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Virginia Beach | Williamsburg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,733.3 | 1,403.9 | +329.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 93.4 | 198.8 | -105.4 |
| Murder Rate | 2.9 | 6.2 | -3.4 |
| Rape Rate | 18.5 | 43.5 | -25.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 31.6 | 24.9 | +6.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 39.3 | 124.2 | -84.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,639.9 | 1,205.1 | +434.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 83.9 | 62.1 | +21.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,446.8 | 1,118.2 | +328.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 109.2 | 24.9 | +84.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Virginia Beach or Williamsburg safer?
Williamsburg is safer with a total crime rate of 1,404 per 100K vs 1,733 for Virginia Beach — a 19% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Virginia Beach has a violent crime rate of 93.4 per 100K while Williamsburg has 198.8. Virginia Beach has lower violent crime.
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.
About Williamsburg, VA
Williamsburg, a historic city in Virginia, is home to Colonial Williamsburg, a living history museum. It's a popular tourist destination in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area. With a safety score of 60/100 and a population coverage of 16,098, Williamsburg has a total crime rate of 1,403.9 per 100,000 residents.