Where do Canadians feel most unsafe in 2026? Here’s what the survey says: List of 10 cities

What the index measures

The Crime Index and Safety Index rely on responses from residents and visitors who report their perceptions of crime levels and personal safety. These surveys assess concerns such as property crime, vehicle theft, vandalism and feelings of insecurity while walking alone during the day or at night.

The ranking uses survey-based data rather than police statistics and reflects how safe people say they feel in daily life. Canada Visa notes that the index should be read as a “comparative snapshot”, not a final judgment on any city.

“Canada remains broadly safe, but safety concerns are not evenly felt across the country,” the report says.

Here’s the full list:

1) Surrey

Surrey ranks number one in Canada for 2026 in this dataset.

With a Crime Index of 64.4 and a Safety Index of 35.6, Surrey falls firmly in the “high” concern band. In late January 2026, the safety conversation intensified after the mayor publicly called for emergency-level measures and stronger federal coordination amid a rise in extortion threats. Residents’ perceptions appear to be driven by the persistence and targeted nature of such threats, high visibility of incidents, and rapid metro-area growth spilling into daily life.

2) Lethbridge

Lethbridge ranks second in Canada for 2026.

With a Crime Index of 63.1 and a Safety Index of 36.9, the city illustrates how mid-sized centres can rise quickly in rankings when concerns cluster around repeat property crime and visible public disorder in specific areas. Residents report growing unease over theft, break-ins and vehicle-related incidents, particularly in recurring hotspots.

3) Sudbury

Sudbury ranks third in Canada for 2026.

Posting a Crime Index of 62.5 and a Safety Index of 37.5, Sudbury’s placement reflects how perceptions of downtown conditions, nightlife corridors and visible disorder influence overall sentiment. Concerns are often tied to property crime and a heightened sense of insecurity at night, with neighbourhood-level variation shaping citywide views.

4) Kelowna

Kelowna ranks fourth in Canada for 2026.

With a Crime Index of 62.1 and a Safety Index of 37.9, Kelowna shows how tourism peaks and nightlife zones can affect public opinion. Residents associate busy corridors and seasonal surges with higher risks of theft and disorder, particularly after dark in entertainment districts.

5) Winnipeg

Winnipeg ranks fifth and sits close to the line between moderate and high concern.

At a Crime Index of 60.8 and a Safety Index of 39.2, Winnipeg clusters with other high-ranking cities where small shifts in perception can move rankings. Neighbourhood-level differences, concerns about robbery in certain corridors, and sustained attention on downtown safety weigh heavily on how residents assess overall risk.

6) Brantford

Brantford ranks sixth in Canada for 2026.

With a Crime Index of 60.5 and a Safety Index of 39.5, Brantford sits within the same high-concern cluster as several other cities. Downtown conditions and repeat property crime issues play a significant role, with theft and vandalism worries concentrated in specific corridors.

7) Sault Ste. Marie

Sault Ste. Marie ranks seventh in Canada for 2026.

Recording a Crime Index of 60.3 and a Safety Index of 39.7, the city highlights how perceptions in smaller communities can shift quickly when a handful of recurring issues dominate local attention. Property theft, vehicle-related incidents and visible disorder at night are key factors shaping sentiment.

8) Oshawa

Oshawa ranks eighth in Canada for 2026.

With a Crime Index of 60.2 and a Safety Index of 39.8, retail corridors and vehicle-related concerns appear to have an outsized impact on rankings. Residents report anxiety around theft in shopping areas, large parking lots and specific night-time zones.

9) Hamilton

Hamilton ranks ninth and remains among the higher Canadian entries despite sitting in the moderate band.

Its Crime Index of 56.2 and Safety Index of 43.8 reflect the influence of dense corridors, visible social disorder and safety concerns in some downtown and transit-adjacent areas. In larger cities, wide neighbourhood variation means a few highly visible locations can shape citywide perceptions.

10) Brampton

Brampton ranks tenth in Canada for 2026 and remains one of the most searched Canadian cities for safety comparisons within the Greater Toronto Area.

With a Crime Index of 55.5 and a Safety Index of 44.5, Brampton’s ranking is strongly influenced by vehicle theft worries, recent extortion-linked gun violence incidents, rapid growth pressures and corridor-level variability. Property-related concerns continue to weigh on residents’ sense of safety.