The Safest Cities to Live In 2026: Crime Index Guide

What Are the Safest Cities to Live In (2026)?

Among the cities listed, the safest cities to live in 2026 by crime index are Selva in Italy and Verbier in Switzerland, each with a crime index of 15. They are followed closely by Vail and Aspen in the United States, both at 18, and a larger group of very safe cities at 20: Valkenburg, St. Moritz, Tokyo, Dingle, Breckenridge, North Bend, State College, and Park City.

A lower crime index means residents face less reported crime relative to many other places, so a score in the mid‑teens to 20 indicates a generally safe environment. From compact Alpine towns to a global megacity like Tokyo, these destinations combine low crime with varying levels of walkability and overall liveability, giving prospective residents a range of safe lifestyle options.

How Crime Index Scores Work for Everyday Life

The crime index used here is a comparative measure where a lower number means less crime. While scales can vary by source, an index in the teens or around 20 typically reflects relatively low crime levels versus global norms. For residents, this tends to translate into fewer incidents of theft, assault, and vandalism, and a stronger sense of security in public spaces.

However, crime index scores do not remove risk entirely. Even in very safe cities, residents still need to use common‑sense precautions, especially in busy tourist districts or late at night. Crime can also be localized to particular streets or venues, so the index should be viewed as a broad city‑level signal of safety rather than a guarantee for every neighborhood.

The Safest Cities by Crime Index: Selva, Verbier, Vail, Aspen

Selva, Italy, stands out with a crime index of 15, a liveability score of 7.0/10, and a walk score of 70. This combination suggests an environment that is not only very safe but also comfortable for daily life, with many errands and activities accessible on foot. For residents, this can mean walking home after dinner or sending older children to nearby activities with relatively low concern about street crime.

Verbier, Switzerland, matches Selva with a crime index of 15 and a walk score of 70, though its liveability score is a more modest 5.0/10. For safety‑focused movers, Verbier still qualifies as one of the safest cities to live on this list, but the lower liveability rating hints at trade‑offs—possibly seasonal crowding, cost, or limited year‑round services. It can suit residents who prioritize low crime and Alpine outdoor life but are comfortable with a simpler or more seasonal living environment.

Vail, in the United States, posts a crime index of 18, a liveability score of 6.0/10, and a walk score of 56. That walk score indicates a more car‑dependent pattern than Selva or Verbier, but with similarly low crime. For residents, the key implication is that daily safety is high, yet moving around town may require a car for many errands, particularly outside the core resort areas.

Aspen, also in the United States, has a crime index of 18, liveability of 5.0/10, and a strong walk score of 75. Aspen’s WE‑cycle system adds another layer of practical mobility: it is a seasonal, nonprofit bike‑share serving Aspen and nearby Basalt, offering short‑trip bike access via multiple stations and integrating with local transit. For residents, this mix means a relatively safe, highly walkable and bike‑friendly environment, especially in season, even if the overall liveability score suggests some limitations such as cost of living or housing constraints.

Very Safe, Highly Walkable Cities: Valkenburg, St. Moritz, Tokyo, Dingle

Valkenburg in the Netherlands records a crime index of 20, an impressive liveability score of 8.0/10, and a walk score of 80. Among all cities listed, this is one of the strongest combinations: low crime, very good walkability, and high overall liveability. For residents, this can mean daily needs are reachable on foot in a relatively secure setting, with local services and environment contributing positively to quality of life.

St. Moritz, Switzerland, also has a crime index of 20, a liveability score of 6.0/10, and a walk score of 65. While slightly less walkable than Valkenburg and with a more moderate liveability rating, St. Moritz still offers a safe environment and good pedestrian access in many central areas, especially during peak seasons when services cluster around the resort core.

Tokyo, Japan, is notable as the only major global metropolis in this group with a crime index of 20, a liveability score of 6.0/10, a very high walk score of 95, and a strong health rank of 5. Tokyo’s Docomo Bike Share program adds over 15,000 bikes across 1,200+ stations in the greater Tokyo area, with day passes from ¥1,650. For residents, this means a rare combination: big‑city opportunities, very extensive walking and cycling infrastructure, and comparatively low crime for a city of its size, making it one of the safest cities to live among large urban centers in practical, day‑to‑day terms.

Dingle, Ireland, with a crime index of 20, liveability of 5.0/10, and a walk score of 75, offers a different type of safety: a small coastal town feel with a compact, walkable center. Residents benefit from low crime and strong walkability, though the moderate liveability rating suggests that services, job variety, or connectivity may be more limited than in larger cities.

Safe Small‑Town Options in the United States

Breckenridge in the United States has a crime index of 20, a liveability score of 5.0/10, and a walk score of 60. Residents see a balance of relatively low crime and moderate walkability, with some errands possible on foot, especially in the town core, but likely needing a vehicle for more dispersed services or off‑season living.

North Bend, United States, shares a crime index of 20 and a liveability score of 5.0/10, but with a walk score of 55. This indicates slightly less walkability than Breckenridge and a more car‑oriented lifestyle. For people who prioritize low crime above all but are comfortable driving for most errands, North Bend presents a safe, small‑scale option.

State College, United States, has a crime index of 20, liveability of 5.0/10, and a walk score of 68, making it more walkable than many U.S. peers in this group. It also periodically offers shared micromobility through partnerships with providers such as Spin for app‑based dockless e‑scooters and e‑bikes around Penn State’s campus and nearby streets. Although these programs have typically been pilot or seasonal rather than permanent, they expand low‑emission transport options when active, reinforcing an already walkable, relatively safe environment.

Park City, United States, rounds out the list with a crime index of 20, a liveability score of 5.0/10, and a walk score of 62. Residents benefit from low crime and moderate walkability in and around the town center, while still depending on cars for some trips, particularly for housing located outside the most central areas and during quieter seasons.

Trends: Safety, Walkability, and Liveability

Looking across these cities, one clear pattern emerges: all have crime index scores between 15 and 20, positioning them in a relatively narrow band of safety. Differences in resident experience therefore often come from walkability and liveability scores rather than crime rates alone. For example, Valkenburg’s 8.0/10 liveability and 80 walk score make it feel very different from Verbier or Dingle, even though all three are very safe.

Another trend is that both small towns and one very large city (Tokyo) appear together in the safest cities to live list, underscoring that size alone does not determine safety. Instead, factors such as infrastructure, local governance, and culture influence how low crime levels translate into day‑to‑day comfort. Tokyo’s 95 walk score and extensive bike share show that a megacity can still provide safe, efficient mobility, while smaller Alpine towns may pair safety with a quieter, more seasonal lifestyle.

How to Choose the Right Safe City for You

When comparing these safe cities, start by confirming that all fall within your acceptable crime index range. From there, focus on how you prefer to live. If you value walking or cycling for daily errands, cities like Tokyo, Valkenburg, Aspen, Dingle, and State College—with walk scores from the high 60s to mid‑90s and, in some cases, dedicated bike‑share or micromobility systems—offer strong advantages.

If liveability is your main filter, Valkenburg (8.0/10) and Selva (7.0/10) stand out as the safest cities to live on this list that also score highest on overall quality of life indicators. For those seeking small‑town U.S. environments with low crime, Breckenridge, North Bend, State College, and Park City provide similar crime index levels but differ in walkability and access to services. Ultimately, using crime index, walk scores, and liveability together helps you identify a city where you not only feel safe, but also enjoy a daily routine that fits your budget, mobility preferences, and lifestyle.