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Five Canadian cities are recognized as the safest in North America, according to Numbeo’s North America-specific city safety index as of July 2026. This means all of the top five safest spots are Canadian, split between Ontario and Quebec. Overall, Canada holds six of the top 10 positions in the continental rankings.
This guide explains which Canadian cities made the top safety lists, how these rankings are determined, and what factors contribute to a city’s safety score.
What are the top 10 safest North American cities?
All five of the top safest cities in North America are Canadian. They are Quebec City, Burlington, Ottawa, Montreal, and Guelph. The remaining spots in the top 10 include cities from the United States and one other Canadian city. Numbeo’s index combines residents’ perceptions of crime and safety.
- Quebec City, Quebec: Ranked 1st
- Burlington, Ontario: Ranked 2nd
- Ottawa, Ontario: Ranked 3rd
- Montreal, Quebec: Ranked 4th
- Guelph, Ontario: Ranked 5th
- Salt Lake City, Utah: Ranked 6th
- Madison, Wisconsin: Ranked 7th
- Irvine, California: Ranked 8th
- Calgary, Alberta: Ranked 9th
- Boise, Idaho: Ranked 10th
Each Canadian city in this top 10 list has a “High” safety index, meaning a score between 60.01 and 80 out of 100. This also corresponds to a “Low” crime index.
Canada’s safest cities beyond the top 5
Looking only at Canadian cities, the top 10 safest locations cover five different provinces. Quebec and Ontario still dominate, but British Columbia and Nova Scotia also have cities on this expanded list.
- Quebec City, Quebec: Ranked 1st overall in North America with a safety index of 77.7.
- Burlington, Ontario: Ranked 2nd overall in North America with a safety index of 71.4.
- Ottawa, Ontario: Ranked 3rd overall in North America with a safety index of 69.3.
- Montreal, Quebec: Ranked 4th overall in North America with a safety index of 67.1.
- Guelph, Ontario: Ranked 5th overall in North America with a safety index of 66.2.
- Calgary, Alberta: Ranked 9th overall in North America with a safety index of 62.1.
- Halifax, Nova Scotia: Ranked 12th overall in North America with a safety index of 60.4.
- Victoria, British Columbia: Ranked 13th overall in North America with a safety index of 60.4.
- Kingston, Ontario: Ranked 14th overall in North America with a safety index of 60.4.
- Vancouver, British Columbia: Ranked 17th overall in North America with a safety index of 57.2.
Vancouver is the only city on this list that moves into the “Moderate” crime index category, indicating a score between 40.01-60.
How is the Numbeo Safety Index calculated?
The Numbeo Current Safety Index by City uses crowdsourced data from resident surveys over the past five years. It continuously updates based on new user submissions. Scores are presented on a scale of 0 to 100, allowing for direct comparison between cities.
To be included in the index, cities must meet a minimum number of contributions to ensure statistical relevance.
Factors considered in the safety index
Numbeo’s index considers several aspects of safety and crime perception. These factors help to create a comprehensive view of how safe residents feel in their city.
The safety index assesses general crime perceptions, perceived safety during the day and night, and concerns about specific types of crime like mugging or theft. It also evaluates the severity of both property and violent crimes.
The index also accounts for specific crimes, such as car theft, physical attacks, public harassment, and incidents motivated by bias. The severity of crimes like burglary, theft, vandalism, assault, homicide, and sexual offenses also impact a city’s score.
Understanding Safety and Crime Index scores
The safety index is an inverse of the Crime Index. A higher safety index means a lower crime index. Numbeo categorizes crime index scores into different bands:
- Very Low: 20 and below
- Low: 20.01-40
- Moderate: 40.01-60
- High: 60.01-80
- Very High: above 80
Cities like Quebec City, with a safety index of 77.7, have a crime index of 22.3, placing it in the “Low” crime category. Vancouver, with a safety index of 57.2, has a crime index of 42.8, which falls into the “Moderate” category.
Frequently asked questions
what is the safest city in north america?
According to Numbeo’s July 2026 safety index, Quebec City, Quebec, is the safest city in North America.
how many canadian cities are in the top 10 safest in north america?
Six Canadian cities are among the top 10 safest in North America. These are Quebec City, Burlington, Ottawa, Montreal, Guelph, and Calgary.
what provinces have the safest cities in canada?
Ontario, Quebec, Alberta, Nova Scotia, and British Columbia are the provinces represented in Canada’s top 10 safest cities list.
how is a city’s safety index determined?
A city’s safety index is determined by crowdsourced survey data from residents, reflecting their perceptions of crime and safety over the past five years. It considers various factors, including general crime levels and concerns about specific criminal acts.
Canada consistently demonstrates high levels of safety across its cities, with a strong presence in international rankings. These findings are based on resident perceptions, providing a snapshot of how people feel within their communities.
Photo by Luka Franzi on Pexels.
