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Virginia Beach vs Norfolk: 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 Norfolk's 21.7 per 1,000, making Norfolk 15% safer overall. Norfolk 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-

Norfolk

Virginia

Overall GradeB-
Violent CrimeB-
Property CrimeB-
Crime Rate21.7/1K
Percentile53%

Head-to-Head Crime Comparison

MetricVirginia BeachNorfolk
Overall Crime Rate25.5/1K21.7/1K
Violent Crime Rate450.5338.0
Property Crime Rate2097.41835.4
Murder Rate7.15.0
Assault Rate350.1293.2
Robbery Rate77.585.6
Burglary Rate354.9344.6
Theft Rate1616.71642.6
Vehicle Theft Rate432.5439.8

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 3 and Norfolk is safer in 6.

Victim Odds Comparison

In Virginia Beach, you have a 1 in 39 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 46 in Norfolk.

Full Safety Reports

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Virginia Beach safer than Norfolk?
As of 2026, Norfolk is 15% safer overall, with a crime rate of 21.7 per 1,000 residents compared to Virginia Beach's 25.5. Norfolk 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 Norfolk?
Virginia Beach has more violent crime at 451 per 100,000 residents. Norfolk is safer for violent crime. The national average is 363.8 per 100,000.
What is the crime rate in Virginia Beach vs Norfolk?
Virginia Beach has a crime rate of 25.5 per 1,000 (violent: 451/100K, property: 2097/100K). Norfolk has 21.7 per 1,000 (violent: 338/100K, property: 1835/100K).
Should I move to Virginia Beach or Norfolk?
From a safety perspective, Norfolk has lower crime rates across most categories. However, safety is just one factor. Virginia Beach (pop. 453,737) and Norfolk (pop. 231,013) differ in cost of living, job market, climate, and culture. Norfolk's B- safety grade is a plus, but research all factors before deciding.
How do Virginia Beach and Norfolk compare for property crime?
Norfolk has lower property crime at 1835 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 Newport News

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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