A new mid-2026 crime perception ranking has placed several Canadian cities in the high or upper-moderate concern range, with two Greater Toronto Area communities appearing in the national top 10.
According to Numbeo’s updated Crime Index, Surrey, British Columbia ranks first in Canada, followed by Lethbridge, Alberta and Sudbury, Ontario. Oshawa places seventh, while Brampton ranks 10th.
The list does not measure police-reported crime directly. Numbeo’s Crime Index relies on user-submitted survey responses about how people feel about crime and safety in their communities. The score reflects concerns around theft, vandalism, vehicle crime, assaults, drug activity and walking safety during the day and at night.
That means the ranking should be read as a measure of public concern, not a complete official crime report.
Top 10 Crime Concern Cities In Canada
Surrey, British Columbia ranked first with a Crime Index score of 64.4 and a Safety Index score of 35.6.
Lethbridge, Alberta placed second with a Crime Index score of 63.1.
Sudbury, Ontario ranked third with a score of 62.5.
Kelowna, British Columbia placed fourth with a score of 61.6.
Brantford, Ontario ranked fifth with a score of 61.0.
Winnipeg, Manitoba placed sixth with a score of 60.2.
Oshawa, Ontario also scored 60.2, placing seventh in the Canadian ranking.
Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario ranked eighth with a score of 59.9.
Hamilton, Ontario placed ninth with a score of 55.6.
Brampton, Ontario rounded out the top 10 with a score of 55.6.
Most cities in the top 10 fall within Numbeo’s high or upper-moderate crime concern range. Oshawa, Hamilton and Brampton give the ranking a clear GTA connection, though the scores reflect public perception rather than police-reported crime rates.
GTA Cities Add Local Context
For the GTA, the ranking points to ongoing concern around public safety, vehicle theft, extortion, property crime and high-profile violent incidents.
Brampton and Mississauga have faced repeated attention over auto theft in recent years, while Peel Region has also been part of federal and local discussions around extortion and organized crime.
Oshawa’s placement also reflects broader public concern in Durham Region, where residents have raised issues around property crime, theft and safety in commercial areas and neighbourhoods.
Still, perception rankings can differ sharply from official police data. A city may appear high on a list because residents feel unsafe in certain areas, even if police-reported crime has declined overall.
Police Data Shows A More Complex Picture
Statistics Canada reported that the national Crime Severity Index fell in 2024, ending three straight years of increases. That national decline shows police-reported crime severity moved lower across Canada overall.
At the local level, the picture varies. Some communities continue to face pressure from auto theft, repeat offenders, visible disorder, drug activity and organized crime. Others may show improving crime data while residents still feel concerned because of specific incidents or neighbourhood-level issues.
That gap between perception and official data is important.
Numbeo’s ranking captures how residents feel about safety. Statistics Canada and police data show what officers report and investigate. Both help explain why crime remains a major public issue, even in a country still widely considered safe by global standards.
For GTA readers, the key takeaway is clear. Brampton and Oshawa appear on the 2026 crime concern list, but the ranking should be read with context. It highlights public concern, not a final judgment on whether a city is unsafe to live in.
As police services and governments continue to respond to auto theft, extortion and community safety issues, the next test will be whether enforcement efforts change both crime trends and public confidence.
