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Is Virginia Beach safe? 🇺🇸
United States · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, Virginia Beach scores 82/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — generally safe. Yes, Virginia Beach is generally safe for visitors, with moderate risks primarily related to petty crime in tourist areas and potential natural hazards. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and tourist-targeted scams. The U.S. State Department rates it Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Virginia Beach 🇺🇸
United States · Assessed 25 October 2026
82
/ 100
What drives this score
Crime75/100GoodCrime index 42.0 / 100 · city-level
Sentiment83/100GoodGenerally Positive
Advisories85Good
Stability72Good
Health71Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Good
No advisory against travel
“This travel advice also covers American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and United States Virgin Islands. Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe.”
Updated 2026-10-07T10:48:24Z
Full advisory →Exercise normal security precautions
“Canada's official risk level for United States: exercise normal security precautions.”
Updated 2026-10-15T08:53:58.290000-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Good
Mugging & robbery risk
Low risk
92
City SignalCity Web Research
Pickpocketing & theft risk
Moderate risk
78
City SignalCity Web Research
Visitor safety sentiment
75 / 100 (Generally Positive)
75
City SignalCity Web Research
Urban scale factor
455k residents
76
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
5.8 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
62
Robbery / mugging
LowViolent crime rates are low, and residents report a low worry about being mugged or robbed.
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing is a concern, particularly on the Atlantic Avenue Boardwalk and in crowded tourist areas.
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Good
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Stable
Traveller sentiment score
Generally Positive
83/100
Reported feel75Generally Positive
Robbery risk92Low risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Visitors generally feel safe, with high scores for feeling safe during daylight hours. Concerns are more focused on petty crime and scams rather than violent incidents.
Yes, Virginia Beach is generally safe for visitors, with moderate risks primarily related to petty crime in tourist areas and potential natural hazards.
Virginia Beach presents a low risk for violent crime, with residents and visitors reporting feeling safe during the day. However, petty theft and scams are concerns, particularly in busy tourist zones like the Oceanfront. Travelers should also be aware of potential weather-related disruptions.
Recent developments
- Oct 2026Man arrested in a 1986 cold case rape and murder.— ABC News
- Jul 2026Investigations into human trafficking resulted in $86K seized.— 13newsnow.com
- May 2026Mayor launched a safety task force following Oceanfront shootings.— 13newsnow.com
- Apr 2026Concerns raised about violence impacting tourism at the Oceanfront.— WAVY.com
Common scams
- Vacation rental fraud, where scammers use stolen photos and request deposits via Zelle or wire transfer.
- Atlantic Ave Boardwalk pickpocketing.
Full briefing
Virginia Beach is generally a safe destination for travelers, with official advisories recommending normal security precautions. The city's violent crime rates are low, and residents report feeling safe, particularly during daylight hours. However, visitors should be aware of moderate risks associated with petty crime and scams, especially in popular tourist zones.
Recent news indicates that local authorities are actively addressing concerns about violence in the Oceanfront area, with a safety task force established in May 2026 following shootings. While these incidents are concerning, the overall crime index for Virginia Beach remains moderate. Be particularly aware of your surroundings and belongings in crowded areas like the Atlantic Avenue Boardwalk, where pickpocketing is a noted risk.
Scammers are known to target tourists, with vacation rental fraud being a significant concern. Be wary of listings on platforms like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace that request deposits via Zelle or wire transfers; it is safer to book through established sites like Airbnb or VRBO. Additionally, be mindful of potential weather impacts, as October can bring damaging winds and wet spells.
Overall, by exercising standard travel precautions, staying informed about local conditions, and being cautious in busy tourist spots, visitors can expect a safe and enjoyable trip to Virginia Beach. The city also has a good presence of healthcare facilities and a solid tourist infrastructure.
Was this Virginia Beach, United States report helpful?
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 6 Virginia Beach districts for visitors: 3 safer, 3 needing caution. See them plotted on the Virginia Beach safety map.
Oceanfront AreacautionHigh tourist traffic, but moderate risk of petty crime and scams, especially on the boardwalk.
Resort AreacautionSimilar to Oceanfront, generally safe but vigilance is needed for petty theft and scams.
Central Virginia BeachcautionA mix of residential and commercial areas; generally safe during daylight but some areas may have less foot traffic after dark.
Town CentersaferModern business and shopping district with good security presence and well-lit streets.
Northeast Virginia BeachsaferGenerally considered safe with detailed crime maps showing lower rates.
Birdneck AreasaferA mix of residential areas, including some very wealthy and safe neighborhoods.
07 · After Dark
Is Virginia Beach safe at night?
60% of people in United States say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2023).
Violent crime rates are low, and residents report a low worry about being mugged or robbed.
After dark, be most careful around Oceanfront Area, Resort Area, Central Virginia Beach. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Virginia Beach safety FAQ (2026)
Is Virginia Beach safe right now (2026)?
Yes, Virginia Beach is generally safe for visitors, with moderate risks primarily related to petty crime in tourist areas and potential natural hazards. Virginia Beach presents a low risk for violent crime, with residents and visitors reporting feeling safe during the day. However, petty theft and scams are concerns, particularly in busy tourist zones like the Oceanfront. Travelers should also be aware of potential weather-related disruptions. (Assessed 25 October 2026.)
Is Virginia Beach safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this Virginia Beach report does not pretend it is: the score is re-weighted for who is travelling. A woman travelling alone, a family with children and a solo backpacker face different street-level risks, so the headline score shifts and the report leads with the findings that matter for that group. Personalize this report in one click to see the 2026 score and safety briefing for your specific travellers.
Which areas of Virginia Beach should tourists avoid?
No districts were flagged as no-go areas for visitors at the last assessment.
What are the most common scams in Virginia Beach (2026)?
- Vacation rental fraud, where scammers use stolen photos and request deposits via Zelle or wire transfer.
- Atlantic Ave Boardwalk pickpocketing.
How does Virginia Beach compare with other places in United States (2026)?
Virginia Beach ranks #9 of 9 United States destinations we've assessed, scoring 82/100. See the United States safety overview for the full list.
How is this virginia-beach safety score calculated (2026)?
The score blends 13+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, FBI crime data for U.S. cities, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry the bulk of the weight (and U.S. reports lean more on the latest field research); the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries the rest. Full methodology.
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