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Virginia Beach vs Arlington: Crime & Safety Comparison (2026)

Updated October 2026 · Based on 2023 FBI UCR data

Virginia Beach has a crime rate of 25.5 per 1,000 residents vs Arlington's 22.6 per 1,000, making Arlington 11% safer overall. Arlington earns a B- safety grade compared to Virginia Beach's C+. Both figures are based on 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data.

C+

Virginia Beach

Virginia

Overall GradeC+
Violent CrimeC+
Property CrimeC+
Crime Rate25.5/1K
Percentile43%
B-

Arlington

Virginia

Overall GradeB-
Violent CrimeC+
Property CrimeB-
Crime Rate22.6/1K
Percentile51%

Head-to-Head Crime Comparison

MetricVirginia BeachArlington
Overall Crime Rate25.5/1K22.6/1K
Violent Crime Rate450.5376.6
Property Crime Rate2097.41886.6
Murder Rate7.17.5
Assault Rate350.1329.5
Robbery Rate77.539.0
Burglary Rate354.9360.7
Theft Rate1616.71522.9
Vehicle Theft Rate432.5313.0

Crime rates per 100,000 residents. 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data. Lower rates are better (safer).

Category Winner Summary

Out of 9 crime categories, Virginia Beach is safer in 2 and Arlington is safer in 7.

Victim Odds Comparison

In Virginia Beach, you have a 1 in 39 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 44 in Arlington.

Full Safety Reports

C+
Virginia Beach, Virginia Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends
B-
Arlington, Virginia Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Virginia Beach safer than Arlington?
As of 2026, Arlington is 11% safer overall, with a crime rate of 22.6 per 1,000 residents compared to Virginia Beach's 25.5. Arlington earns a B- safety grade vs Virginia Beach's C+. Based on 2023 FBI UCR data.
Which city has more violent crime, Virginia Beach or Arlington?
Virginia Beach has more violent crime at 451 per 100,000 residents. Arlington is safer for violent crime. The national average is 363.8 per 100,000.
What is the crime rate in Virginia Beach vs Arlington?
Virginia Beach has a crime rate of 25.5 per 1,000 (violent: 451/100K, property: 2097/100K). Arlington has 22.6 per 1,000 (violent: 377/100K, property: 1887/100K).
Should I move to Virginia Beach or Arlington?
From a safety perspective, Arlington has lower crime rates across most categories. However, safety is just one factor. Virginia Beach (pop. 453,737) and Arlington (pop. 233,464) differ in cost of living, job market, climate, and culture. Arlington's B- safety grade is a plus, but research all factors before deciding.
How do Virginia Beach and Arlington compare for property crime?
Arlington has lower property crime at 1887 per 100K vs Virginia Beach's 2097. The national average is 1,832 per 100K. Theft is the most common property crime in both cities.

Related Comparisons

Virginia Beach vs ChesapeakeVirginia Beach vs RichmondVirginia Beach vs Norfolk

2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

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