Virginia Beach, VA Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 52% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated March 2026
Is Virginia Beach Safe?
Virginia Beach has a crime rate that is 22% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 357.
However, safety varies dramatically by neighborhood. Areas like Oceanfront earn an B+ safety grade, while Oceanfront rates B+. Understanding which neighborhoods are safe is critical for anyone living in, moving to, or visiting Virginia Beach.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 357
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
27% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 52
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
5% higher than national average
Virginia Beach Crime Breakdown
Estimated crime rates based on FBI UCR data, calibrated to city-level crime score.
| Crime Type | Index | vs National | Risk Level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | ||||
|
Murder
|
83 | -17% | Average | |
|
Assault
|
64 | -36% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
103 | +3% | Average | |
|
Rape
|
80 | -20% | Average | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
70 | -30% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
106 | +6% | Average | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
78 | -22% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Virginia Beach Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
Where Is It Safe in Virginia Beach?
Safety varies dramatically across Virginia Beach's 1+ neighborhoods.
Safest Neighborhoods
Top 1Areas with Higher Crime
Bottom 1Neighborhood Safety Distribution
Out of 1 neighborhoods in Virginia Beach
All Virginia Beach Neighborhoods
| # | Neighborhood | Grade | Crime Index |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oceanfront | B+ | 169 |
Virginia Beach Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Virginia Beach zip codes.
Virginia Beach Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Virginia Beach, VA?
Virginia Beach, VA has a crime safety grade of B- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 22% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 357 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 52 chance for property crime. Virginia Beach has lower crime than 52% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Virginia Beach, VA safe to live in?
Virginia Beach is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of B-. Approximately 100% of the city's 1 neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. For example, Oceanfront is one of the safest areas, while Oceanfront has higher crime rates. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Virginia Beach is strongly recommended.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Virginia Beach?
Based on 2026 crime data, the safest neighborhoods in Virginia Beach are Oceanfront. These areas have significantly lower crime rates than the city average and are popular choices for families, professionals, and anyone prioritizing safety.
What are the most dangerous areas in Virginia Beach?
The neighborhoods with the highest crime rates in Virginia Beach include Oceanfront. These areas experience significantly more crime than the city average. Visitors and prospective residents should exercise extra caution in these neighborhoods, particularly at night.
What is the violent crime rate in Virginia Beach?
The estimated violent crime rate in Virginia Beach is 279.8 per 100,000 residents, which is 27% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 357 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 4.2 per 100K (17% below average); aggravated assault at 172.9 per 100K (36% below average); robbery at 75.8 per 100K (3% above average).
What is the property crime rate in Virginia Beach?
The estimated property crime rate in Virginia Beach is 1,918.2 per 100,000 residents, which is 5% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 52 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 189.8 per 100K (30% below average); larceny/theft at 1,479.2 per 100K (6% above average); vehicle theft at 249.2 per 100K (22% below average).
How does Virginia Beach crime compare to the national average?
Virginia Beach's overall crime rate is 22% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (6% above average), while assault is 36% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Virginia Beach has lower crime than 52% of them.
Is Virginia Beach safe to visit?
Virginia Beach is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 5% above 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 Oceanfront.
How does Virginia Beach crime compare to the rest of Virginia?
Virginia as a whole has crime that is 12% above the national average. Virginia Beach's crime rate is 22% below the national average, making it safer the typical Virginia city.
What type of crime is most common in Virginia Beach?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Virginia Beach, with an estimated rate of 1,479.2 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 6% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,918 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (280 per 100K) in Virginia Beach, which is consistent with national trends.