The crime rate in Virginia Beach is considerably higher than the national average across all communities in America from the largest to the smallest, although at 21 crimes per one thousand residents, it is not among the communities with the very highest crime rate. The chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime in Virginia Beach is 1 in 48. Based on FBI crime data, Virginia Beach is not one of the safest communities in America. Relative to Virginia, Virginia Beach has a crime rate that is higher than 80% of the state's cities and towns of all sizes.

However, NeighborhoodScout analyzed all cities and towns in America with a similar population size to Virginia Beach, and we found that the crime rate in Virginia Beach is one of the lowest in the nation for its size. This means Virginia Beach is one of the safest places in America in which to live for its size, a very important finding.

Now let us turn to take a look at how Virginia Beach does for violent crimes specifically, and then how it does for property crimes. This is important because the overall crime rate can be further illuminated by understanding if violent crime or property crimes (or both) are the major contributors to the general rate of crime in Virginia Beach.

NeighborhoodScout's research shows that Virginia Beach's violent crime rate is 1 per one thousand inhabitants, which is about average for all communities in America, across all population sizes. Violent crimes that are tracked and included in this rate are armed robbery, aggravated assault, rape (not statutory), and murder and non-negligent manslaughter. Roughly similar to the national average, our analysis shows that your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime in Virginia Beach is one in 718.

NeighborhoodScout's analysis also reveals that Virginia Beach's rate for property crime is 20 per one thousand population. This makes Virginia Beach a place where there is an above average chance of becoming a victim of a property crime, when compared to all other communities in America of all population sizes. Property crimes are motor vehicle theft, arson, larceny, and burglary. Your chance of becoming a victim of any of these crimes in Virginia Beach is one in 51.