Foreign nationals considering travel, study, work, or long-term settlement in Canada are likely to encounter different safety conditions depending on the city they choose, according to new 2026 perception-based crime rankings.
Analysis by Immigration News Canada (INC), using the 2026 Numbeo Crime Index and Safety Index, highlights Canadian cities where residents report lower levels of personal security, a factor that can influence newcomer settlement choices and daily routines.
How the Rankings Reflect Safety for Newcomers
The Numbeo Crime Index is based on user-submitted surveys that measure how residents perceive crime and safety. Scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating higher perceived crime. The Safety Index is the inverse, with lower scores reflecting a lower sense of safety.
For foreigners, these indexes provide insight into how safe residents feel in public spaces, residential areas, and during daily activities. The data is comparative and does not measure police-reported crime.
Cities Where Foreigners May Report Lower Sense of Safety
Surrey, British Columbia, ranks first in Canada for 2026 with a Crime Index score of 64.4 and a Safety Index score of 35.6. In January 2026, public attention around safety increased after the city’s mayor called for emergency-level responses and stronger federal coordination following reports of ongoing extortion threats.
For foreigners, this may translate into greater caution around business districts and targeted commercial areas.
Lethbridge, Alberta, ranks second with a Crime Index of 63.1. Sudbury, Ontario, ranks third at 62.5, followed by Kelowna, British Columbia, at 62.1, and Winnipeg, Manitoba, at 60.8. In these cities, reported concerns relate primarily to property crime, public disorder, and safety at night, which can affect newcomers unfamiliar with local conditions.
Brantford, Sault Ste. Marie, Oshawa, Hamilton, and Brampton complete the top 10. Hamilton and Brampton fall within the moderate category, while the remaining cities are classified as high.
Why Perception Matters for Foreign Residents
Foreigners often depend on public transport, shared housing, and busy commercial areas when they first arrive in Canada. Lower Safety Index scores show that residents in some cities feel less safe in these everyday places, which can affect how newcomers choose where to live, travel, and work.
The rankings also point to cities where fast population growth, crowded areas, or ongoing local issues have a stronger impact on how safe people feel.
Comparing With Safer Cities
The lowest perceived crime levels in 2026 are reported in Quebec City, Oakville, Burlington, Ottawa, and Montreal. These cities record higher Safety Index scores, indicating that residents report feeling safer during daily activities, a factor often considered by international students and skilled workers.
Perception Data Versus Official Crime Statistics
Official Canadian crime data is based on police-reported incidents, including the Crime Severity Index. Numbeo rankings reflect perception and may differ from official figures.
For foreigners, the 2026 data serves as a reference point rather than a risk assessment. While Canada remains broadly secure, the rankings show that safety experiences vary by city, and local awareness remains important when choosing where to live, study, or travel.
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