Arlington, VA Crime Rate & Safety

Arlington, VA has a crime safety grade of B- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 24% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 333 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 58 chance for property crime. Arlington has lower crime than 54% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).

Arlington is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of B-. Approximately 99% of the city's 68 neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. For example, Leeway Overlee is one of the safest areas, while Buckingham has higher crime rates. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Arlington is strongly recommended.

Based on 2026 crime data, the safest neighborhoods in Arlington are Leeway Overlee, The Pentagon, Highland Park / Overlee Knolls, Tara / Leeway Heights, and Washington Golf and Country Club. These areas have significantly lower crime rates than the city average and are popular choices for families, professionals, and anyone prioritizing safety.

The neighborhoods with the highest crime rates in Arlington include Buckingham, Boulevard Manor, Nauck, Foxcroft Heights, and Crystal City. These areas experience significantly more crime than the city average. Visitors and prospective residents should exercise extra caution in these neighborhoods, particularly at night.

The estimated violent crime rate in Arlington is 300.3 per 100,000 residents, which is 21% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 333 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 4.1 per 100K (18% below average); aggravated assault at 205.7 per 100K (23% below average); robbery at 63.2 per 100K (14% below average).

The estimated property crime rate in Arlington is 1,720.7 per 100,000 residents, which is 6% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 58 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 166.5 per 100K (38% below average); larceny/theft at 1,273.1 per 100K (9% below average); vehicle theft at 281.1 per 100K (12% below average).

Arlington's overall crime rate is 24% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (9% below average), while burglary is 38% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Arlington has lower crime than 54% of them.

Arlington is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 6% below average, which is typically the main concern for tourists. Avoid leaving valuables in vehicles, stay aware of your surroundings in unfamiliar areas, and stick to well-traveled neighborhoods. Popular, safer areas for visitors include Leeway Overlee, The Pentagon, Highland Park / Overlee Knolls.

Virginia as a whole has crime that is 12% above the national average. Arlington's crime rate is 24% below the national average, making it safer the typical Virginia city.

Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Arlington, with an estimated rate of 1,273.1 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 9% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,721 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (300 per 100K) in Arlington, which is consistent with national trends.