City LiveabilitySafest cities to live in 2026: quick answer
Using crime index scores (where a lower number means less reported crime), the safest cities to live in this 2026 list are led by Abu Dhabi Municipality (crime index 13), followed by a tight group of low‑crime European, Middle Eastern, US, and Japanese cities in the 15–20 range such as Selva, Verbier, Dubai, Aspen, Valkenburg, Bardonecchia, St. Moritz, Tokyo, Bern, Vail, and Park City.
For residents, these low scores translate into fewer safety concerns in day‑to‑day life—walking in central areas, using public transport, commuting by bike, or letting children move around locally—though personal awareness and local context still matter in every city.
How the crime index works and what it means for residents
The crime index is a comparative indicator of perceived and reported crime in a city: the lower the number, the safer the city is considered. A score close to 10–20 typically signals very low levels of crime relative to global norms, especially around theft, assault, and street incidents that directly affect residents.
For people choosing among the safest cities to live, this means a city with a crime index near 15–20 generally offers: more confidence walking in busy areas, lower risk of everyday property crime like pickpocketing or car break‑ins, and a calmer baseline for families, solo residents, and older adults. However, the crime index does not replace local knowledge; neighborhoods differ inside each city, and seasonal tourism can shift patterns.
Abu Dhabi Municipality: leading the list on safety
Abu Dhabi Municipality in the United Arab Emirates stands out with a crime index of 13, the lowest in this comparison, placing it among the safest cities to live worldwide by this measure. Residents benefit from very low reported crime alongside a mid‑range liveability score of 6.6/10 and a walk score of 45, reflecting a car‑leaning yet increasingly urbanized environment.
Abu Dhabi also scores strongly on public health, with a health rank of 2 among the listed cities. Active mobility is supported by ADC Bike Share (formerly Cyacle), a dock‑based public bike rental system operating along the Corniche and key urban districts. Short‑term hires via mobile app and membership give both residents and visitors an extra safe, well‑regulated way to move between offices, parks, and waterfront areas, which further reinforces the sense of safety in well‑used public spaces.
Alpine and resort havens: Selva, Verbier, Aspen and Vail
Several of the safest cities to live in this list are compact resort or mountain towns where community familiarity and outdoor lifestyles go hand in hand with low crime. Selva in Italy and Verbier in Switzerland both have a crime index of 15, placing them just behind Abu Dhabi. Each has a strong walk score of 70, which means most daily errands can be done on foot, a factor that often correlates with active street life and informal social oversight.
In the United States, Aspen and Vail both record a crime index of 18, still in the very low range. Aspen combines that safety level with a high walk score of 75 and a liveability of 5.0/10. Its WE‑cycle system, a seasonal nonprofit bike share serving Aspen and nearby Basalt, adds flexible, short‑trip bike access integrated with local transit—useful for workers, residents, and visitors who prefer to move around safely without a car. Vail, with a walk score of 56 and liveability 6.0/10, offers a similarly safe small‑town environment where tourism is balanced by year‑round residents who rely on predictable, low‑crime streets.
Low‑crime European cities: Valkenburg, Bardonecchia, St. Moritz and Bern
Several European cities in this list cluster at a crime index of 20, still comfortably within what many residents would consider very safe. Valkenburg in the Netherlands pairs its crime index of 20 with the highest walk score in this group after Tokyo: 80. That level of walkability, combined with a strong liveability score of 7.5/10, means residents can handle most daily needs on foot in an environment where serious crime is relatively rare.
Bardonecchia in Italy and St. Moritz in Switzerland both also post a crime index of 20 and walk scores of 70 and 65 respectively, combining walkable town centers with Alpine tourism economies. Bern, the Swiss capital, shares the same crime index of 20 and a walk score of 70, reflecting a highly walkable, transit‑rich city with a liveability score of 5.7/10 and a health rank of 14 among the listed cities. BernRollt, the city’s main bike share program, offers free or low‑cost short‑term rentals from multiple stations, including near the main train station and central squares, giving residents safe, human‑scale access to public spaces during the day and evening.
Big‑city safety: Dubai and Tokyo
Dubai and Tokyo show that some of the safest cities to live can also be large, dense urban centers. Dubai’s crime index of 16 is exceptionally low for a global business hub, complemented by a liveability score of 6.9/10 and a walk score of 52. Careem BIKE, the city’s main public bike share program, deploys thousands of pedal and e‑bikes across docking stations integrated with metro and tram stops, making first‑ and last‑mile journeys practical and visible—conditions that can further support perceived safety.
Tokyo offers a distinctive combination: 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 among the listed cities. With 15,000+ bikes across 1,200+ Docomo Bike Share stations in the greater Tokyo area, residents can combine walking, rail, and cycling for most daily trips. Even as a megacity, Tokyo’s very low crime index supports a lifestyle where people routinely walk or cycle at late hours and children often travel independently on public transport, within a culture that emphasizes order, courtesy, and respect for public space.
North American resort towns: Park City and their safety profile
Park City in the United States, with a crime index of 20, liveability of 5.0/10, and a walk score of 62, rounds out the group of low‑crime destinations in this 2026 snapshot. While it lacks a named bike share in this list, the combination of compact scale, outdoor recreation focus, and a strong tourism infrastructure typically means active, well‑managed public areas—in line with its low crime index rating.
Together with Aspen and Vail, Park City illustrates how mid‑sized resort towns in the US can score similarly to smaller European and Japanese cities on everyday safety, especially when residents cluster around pedestrian‑friendly centers with good access to trails, slopes, and cultural venues.
Trends: what these safety scores reveal
Looking across all these cities, one clear trend is that the safest cities to live in this group have crime index scores tightly grouped between 13 and 20. This narrow band suggests that once cities reach a certain threshold of safety, differences become more about lifestyle fit—climate, language, walkability, and cost—than about basic personal security.
Another pattern is the link between walkability, active mobility infrastructure, and low crime. Cities with solid walk scores (Tokyo’s 95, Valkenburg’s 80, Aspen’s 75, and the many towns at 65–70) also report very low crime indices. While correlation is not causation, active street life, mixed‑use neighborhoods, and bike share systems like ADC Bike Share, Careem BIKE, Docomo Bike Share, BernRollt, and WE‑cycle all support well‑used public spaces, which can discourage certain types of street crime.
How to choose among very safe cities
When all your options rank among the safest cities to live by crime index, decision‑making shifts from “Is it safe?” to “Which safe city fits my life best?” Start by comparing walk scores: if you prefer to live car‑free or minimize driving, places like Tokyo (walk score 95), Valkenburg (80), and Aspen (75) provide the strongest foundations. If you value health system performance, Abu Dhabi Municipality (health rank 2), Tokyo (5), and Bern (14) stand out within this list.
You should also consider lifestyle and scale. Abu Dhabi Municipality and Dubai offer low crime in globally connected, high‑rise environments. Tokyo delivers a very safe, ultra‑dense megacity experience. Selva, Verbier, Bardonecchia, St. Moritz, Valkenburg, Aspen, Vail, and Park City all lean toward mountain or small‑city lifestyles, where community familiarity and quick access to nature are part of everyday life. With crime indices between 13 and 20 across all these options, your final choice can confidently focus on culture, climate, and career rather than baseline safety.
Frequently asked questions
Which city on this list is safest based on crime index in 2026?
Abu Dhabi Municipality is the safest on this list, with a crime index of 13, indicating very low reported and perceived crime compared with global norms.
What crime index range counts as very safe for living?
In this comparison, cities with a crime index between 13 and 20 are considered very safe, with relatively low levels of everyday street and property crime.
Are large cities like Tokyo and Dubai really safe to live in?
Yes. Tokyo has a crime index of 20 and Dubai 16, both in the very low range, showing that large, dense cities can also be among the safest places to live.
How does walkability relate to city safety?
Many of the safest cities to live here—such as Tokyo, Valkenburg, Aspen, and Bern—pair low crime indices with high walk scores, reflecting active streets and strong everyday oversight.
Do bike share systems make cities safer?
Bike share alone does not guarantee safety, but systems like ADC Bike Share, Careem BIKE, Docomo Bike Share, BernRollt, and WE‑cycle support visible, well‑used public spaces that align with low crime environments.
How should I choose between several very safe cities?
Once crime indices are similarly low, compare walk score, health rank, climate, language, and job prospects; all cities listed here offer a strong baseline of personal safety.