Ottawa, January 30, 2026, Canada continues to rank among the safest countries in the world, known for its strong institutions, high quality of life, and welcoming communities. However, safety is not experienced equally across all regions. Some cities consistently report higher concerns related to property crime, vehicle theft, and day-to-day public safety, which directly affects how residents and newcomers perceive their surroundings.
Using the 2026 Numbeo Crime Index and Safety Index, this article ranks the top 10 most dangerous cities in Canada for 2026, explains what drives these rankings, and provides practical safety insights for residents, newcomers, and visitors.
This guide is especially useful for immigrants, international students, temporary workers, and families comparing Canadian cities for relocation or long-term settlement.
Numbeo is one of the largest global databases of user-contributed data on cost of living, quality of life, and public safety. Its crime and safety rankings are based on survey responses submitted by residents and long-term visitors.
These indexes do not measure police-reported crime directly. Instead, they reflect how safe people feel in their daily lives.
The Crime Index is scored from 0 to 100. Higher numbers indicate greater concern about crime and safety.
| Crime Index Range | Category |
|---|---|
| 0 to 20 | Very Low |
| 20.01 to 40 | Low |
| 40.01 to 60 | Moderate |
| 60.01 to 80 | High |
| Above 80 | Very High |
The Safety Index is the inverse of the Crime Index. A higher Safety Index means residents generally feel safer.
These rankings are best used as a comparative snapshot, alongside official statistics like Canada’s Crime Severity Index and neighborhood-level research.
Cities tend to move up crime rankings when residents report a combination of issues such as:
Mid-sized cities can sometimes rank higher than major metros because localized issues have a larger impact on perception.
Crime Index: 64.4
Safety Index: 35.6
Index Category: High
Surrey ranks as the most dangerous city in Canada for 2026 based on the Numbeo dataset.
In early 2026, public safety concerns intensified after local leadership called for emergency-level responses due to ongoing extortion threats targeting businesses. These developments significantly affected how residents perceive safety.
Key contributing factors
Safety tips
Crime Index: 63.1
Safety Index: 36.9
Index Category: High
Lethbridge ranks second in Canada for 2026. Smaller cities can rise quickly when repeated property crime and public disorder dominate local conversation.
Key contributing factors
Safety tips
Crime Index: 62.5
Safety Index: 37.5
Index Category: High
Sudbury’s ranking reflects concerns tied to downtown conditions, nightlife zones, and safety after dark.
Key contributing factors
Safety tips
Crime Index: 62.1
Safety Index: 37.9
Index Category: High
Tourism and seasonal population spikes influence Kelowna’s safety perception, particularly in entertainment corridors.
Key contributing factors
Safety tips
Crime Index: 60.8
Safety Index: 39.2
Index Category: High
Winnipeg sits near the moderate to high boundary. Small shifts in perception can move rankings significantly.
Key contributing factors
Safety tips
Crime Index: 60.5
Safety Index: 39.5
Index Category: High
Downtown conditions and repeat property crime heavily influence Brantford’s ranking.
Key contributing factors
Safety tips
Crime Index: 60.3
Safety Index: 39.7
Index Category: High
In smaller cities, a few recurring issues can significantly affect overall safety perception.
Key contributing factors
Safety tips
Crime Index: 60.2
Safety Index: 39.8
Index Category: High
Retail theft and parking lot incidents strongly influence Oshawa’s ranking.
Key contributing factors
Safety tips
Crime Index: 56.2
Safety Index: 43.8
Index Category: Moderate
Hamilton remains one of the higher-ranking large cities despite falling in the moderate band.
Key contributing factors
Safety tips
Crime Index: 55.5
Safety Index: 44.5
Index Category: Moderate
Brampton is one of the most searched Canadian cities for safety comparisons within the GTA.
Key contributing factors
Safety tips
| Rank | City | Crime Index | Safety Index |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Surrey | 64.4 | 35.6 |
| 2 | Lethbridge | 63.1 | 36.9 |
| 3 | Sudbury | 62.5 | 37.5 |
| 4 | Kelowna | 62.1 | 37.9 |
| 5 | Winnipeg | 60.8 | 39.2 |
| 6 | Brantford | 60.5 | 39.5 |
| 7 | Sault Ste. Marie | 60.3 | 39.7 |
| 8 | Oshawa | 60.2 | 39.8 |
| 9 | Hamilton | 56.2 | 43.8 |
| 10 | Brampton | 55.5 | 44.5 |
| 11 | Kamloops | 54.8 | 45.2 |
| 12 | London | 53.8 | 46.2 |
| 13 | Regina | 53.5 | 46.5 |
| 14 | Nanaimo | 53.5 | 46.5 |
| 15 | Moncton | 49.5 | 50.5 |
| 16 | Saskatoon | 49.1 | 50.9 |
| 17 | St. Catharines | 47.3 | 52.7 |
| 18 | Edmonton | 46.8 | 53.2 |
| 19 | Windsor | 46.5 | 53.5 |
| 20 | Mississauga | 43.9 | 56.1 |
Based on the lowest Crime Index values:
| City | Crime Index | Safety Index |
|---|---|---|
| Quebec City | 22.4 | 77.6 |
| Oakville | 25.9 | 74.1 |
| Burlington | 28.9 | 71.1 |
| Ottawa | 31.0 | 69.0 |
| Montreal | 32.8 | 67.2 |
Official Canadian crime statistics rely on police-reported incidents and legal definitions, such as the Crime Severity Index. Numbeo reflects public perception, which often responds faster to visible issues like theft, disorder, and safety at night.
Both datasets are valuable when used together.
Focus on neighborhood-level safety, lighting, transit access, building security, and local community updates. Citywide rankings are only a starting point.
Smaller cities can be more affected by a few high-incident areas, which strongly influence public perception.
Property crime, vehicle theft, vandalism, robbery risk, and feeling unsafe at night have the greatest impact on survey responses.
Opportunistic property crime such as vehicle break-ins, bike theft, package theft, and unattended items being stolen.
The 2026 rankings show that Canada remains broadly safe, but safety perceptions vary widely by city and neighborhood. Surrey’s placement highlights how quickly public confidence can shift when communities face persistent safety challenges.
For newcomers, students, and families, informed decisions come from combining rankings with local research, smart precautions, and neighborhood awareness.
