The Safest Cities to Live In (2026): Data-Led Guide

What Are the Safest Cities to Live in 2026?

Looking only at crime index scores for 2026 (lower = safer), the safest cities to live from this dataset start with Abu Dhabi Municipality in the United Arab Emirates, followed closely by a cluster of smaller Japanese, Italian, Swiss, Dutch, and American cities. Every city listed below has a crime index of 20 or less, indicating generally low levels of reported crime and relatively safe day‑to‑day living for residents.

Crime index values are a comparative indicator: a city with an index of 13 is safer, on average, than one with 20. They do not mean there is no crime, but they do suggest that residents typically experience fewer safety incidents and feel more secure in public spaces and neighborhoods.

How Crime Index Scores Work (and What They Mean for You)

The crime index used here is a composite perception- and incident-based measure where lower numbers reflect lower overall crime. A city with a crime index between about 10 and 20 is generally considered very safe compared with global norms. For residents, this usually translates to reduced risk of street crime, fewer safety concerns after dark, and a higher baseline sense of security in daily routines.

However, crime index alone does not define quality of life. To understand how safe a city feels to live in, you should interpret crime data alongside liveability scores, walk scores, access to transport, and amenities such as bike share or health services. A low crime index in a city that is hard to navigate on foot or lacks services will feel very different from a similarly safe city with high walkability and strong urban infrastructure.

Abu Dhabi Municipality: Ultra-Low Crime in a Modern Gulf City

Abu Dhabi Municipality, United Arab Emirates, stands out as the safest city to live in this list, with a crime index of just 13. That is the lowest score among all cities covered here, indicating exceptionally low levels of reported crime and strong subjective safety. Residents often benefit from visible policing, strict regulation, and highly maintained public spaces that collectively support a secure urban environment.

Beyond safety, Abu Dhabi posts a liveability score of 6.6 out of 10 and a walk score of 45, meaning that while many daily errands still depend on cars or transit, key districts are increasingly pedestrian‑friendly. The city’s strong health rank of 2 further supports quality of life by signaling robust healthcare and wellness infrastructure.

Active mobility is supported by ADC Bike Share (formerly Cyacle), a dock-based public bike rental system operating along Abu Dhabi’s Corniche and key urban districts. Short‑term hires via mobile app and memberships give both residents and visitors a practical, low‑carbon way to move between neighborhoods, extending the functional reach of areas that are pleasant, safe, and accessible.

Takayama, Selva, and Verbier: Safe Smaller Cities with Strong Walkability

Right behind Abu Dhabi are three compact destinations that combine very low crime with high walkability: Takayama in Japan and Selva and Verbier in Europe. Each has a crime index of 15, placing them among the safest cities to live within this dataset and suggesting that both residents and visitors generally face low levels of street and property crime.

Takayama, Japan, pairs its crime index of 15 with a liveability score of 7.9 out of 10 and a walk score of 70. This mix of high liveability and strong walkability means daily needs can often be met on foot, reinforcing the practical benefits of a safe environment: children walking to school, older adults moving around town, and residents using local shops and services with confidence.

Selva, Italy, and Verbier, Switzerland, each also post a crime index of 15 and a walk score of 70, suggesting human‑scale layouts where walking is convenient for most trips. Selva’s liveability score is 7.0 out of 10, whereas Verbier’s is 5.0, underlining that two cities can be equally safe from a crime standpoint while offering very different overall living experiences, costs, and seasonal patterns.

Dubai, Aspen, and Vail: Safe Resort and Global Hub Cities

Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, has a crime index of 16, placing it firmly among the safest cities to live in this group, especially for a large global hub. Its liveability score of 6.9 out of 10 and walk score of 52 reflect a city that is improving its pedestrian environment while still being oriented toward cars and transit. Safety is reinforced by modern infrastructure, extensive surveillance, and strong public investment in key districts.

Dubai’s Careem BIKE program adds another layer of safe urban mobility. As the city’s main public bike share, it offers thousands of app‑based pedal and e‑bikes docked near metro and tram stops, supporting safer first‑ and last‑mile connections. For residents, this can reduce car dependency and make it easier to access safe, well‑lit routes.

In the United States, Vail and Aspen each have a crime index of 18, again suggesting low crime by international standards. Vail has a liveability score of 6.0 out of 10 and a walk score of 56, indicating that many destinations are accessible on foot in the compact village areas. Aspen has a liveability score of 5.0 out of 10 but a notably high walk score of 75, emphasizing how easy it is to navigate town without a car.

Aspen’s WE‑cycle bike share, a seasonal nonprofit system, supports short‑trip bike access with multiple stations around town and connections to local transit. In practice, this means residents can take advantage of the town’s low crime index by moving around confidently on bikes and on foot, particularly during high season when roads are busy but crime remains low.

Kyoto, Tokyo, Kanazawa, and Valkenburg: Safe, Walkable, and Well-Connected

Japan features prominently among the safest cities to live in this list, with Kyoto, Tokyo, and Kanazawa all posting crime index scores of 19 or 20. These numbers are slightly higher than Abu Dhabi or Takayama but still firmly in the “very safe” range for an urban setting.

Kyoto stands out for both safety and overall quality of life: a liveability score of 8.4 out of 10, a walk score of 75, and a crime index of 19. This combination supports a lifestyle where residents frequently walk or bike in historic neighborhoods and residential districts with comparatively low risk. Kyoto’s Pippa (ピッパ) dockless bike share, operated by smartphone app, offers hundreds of bright green bicycles parked at virtual stations near major train stops and central areas, effectively extending the city’s safe walking network.

Tokyo, one of the world’s largest metropolitan areas, maintains a crime index of 20 and a walk score of 95, meaning most daily needs can be met on foot or by mixing walking with transit. Its liveability score is 7.2 out of 10, and a strong health rank of 5 highlights access to healthcare and wellness services. The Docomo Bike Share network adds more than 15,000 bikes across 1,200+ stations in greater Tokyo, with day passes from ¥1,650, allowing residents to move safely and flexibly between dense neighborhoods and transport hubs.

Kanazawa, Japan, also has a crime index of 20, a liveability score of 7.3 out of 10, and a walk score of 70. Its Machinori (まちのり) bike share system provides unattended stations near tourist areas and major transit hubs, making safe cycling a realistic part of everyday mobility for both locals and visitors.

In Europe, Valkenburg in the Netherlands combines a crime index of 20 with a high walk score of 80 and a liveability score of 7.5 out of 10. This suggests a highly walkable environment with low crime and strong overall quality of life. Valkenburg’s compact layout and Dutch cycling culture further support safe, active travel even without a formal bike share noted here.

Bardonecchia, Italy, rounds out the group with a crime index of 20, a liveability score of 7.2 out of 10, and a walk score of 70. For residents, this means a small Alpine town context where walking is practical and the risk of everyday crime is relatively low.

What the Data Tells Us About Safety and Liveability

Across these cities, the crime index ranges only from 13 to 20, meaning every location listed is relatively safe by global standards. The main differentiators are liveability, walkability, and mobility options. Cities like Kyoto, Takayama, Kanazawa, and Valkenburg combine low crime with high liveability (7.3 to 8.4 out of 10) and strong walk scores (70–80), creating environments where daily life is both safe and convenient.

Large-scale urban centers such as Dubai and Tokyo show that big cities can remain among the safest cities to live when they invest heavily in transport, public space, and health systems. Resort destinations like Aspen, Vail, Selva, Verbier, and Bardonecchia demonstrate that smaller tourist towns can maintain low crime indices while still offering seasonal employment, leisure amenities, and walkable cores.

Bike share systems in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Aspen, Kyoto, Kanazawa, and Tokyo are notable because they make it easier for residents to choose safe, active travel over driving. In secure cities, well-managed cycling infrastructure and bike share programs effectively multiply the benefits of low crime by encouraging more people to use streets and public spaces, which in turn can further reinforce safety through activity and visibility.

How to Choose the Right Safe City for You

When comparing the safest cities to live, start with crime index to confirm that the baseline risk is low, but do not stop there. Look at liveability scores to understand overall quality of life and services, and walk scores to see how much of your daily routine can realistically be handled on foot. A crime index difference of a few points (for example, 15 versus 18) is less important than whether the city’s structure and services match your lifestyle.

If you prioritize walkable, everyday convenience, cities like Kyoto (liveability 8.4, walk score 75, crime index 19), Valkenburg (7.5, 80, 20), Takayama (7.9, 70, 15), or Kanazawa (7.3, 70, 20) may be more appealing. If ultra-low crime is your primary concern and you are comfortable in a more car‑dependent environment, Abu Dhabi Municipality (crime index 13, walk score 45) stands out.

Consider also the presence of bike share systems and health rankings where available. Tokyo, for example, combines a crime index of 20 with a walk score of 95, robust Docomo Bike Share coverage, and a health rank of 5, making it an attractive choice if you value multimodal, active transport in a megacity context.

Ultimately, the safest city to live for you will be the one that balances low crime with the right mix of walkability, health access, climate, culture, and job opportunities. Use the numbers here as a comparative guide, then layer in your personal preferences, visiting in person where possible before making a long‑term move.