The perception of safety is one of the most important indicators for understanding the quality of life of a city’s residents. In Mexico, the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) publishes the National Urban Public Security Survey (ENSU) every quarter, a study that measures how safe or unsafe people feel in the country’s main cities.
According to the results for March 2026, these are the cities with the lowest perception of insecurity, meaning those where residents report feeling the safest. Although these data do not represent actual crime rates, they do reflect the daily experiences of the population.
The Safest Cities in Mexico in 2026
According to the ENSU, San Pedro Garza García, Nuevo León, remains the city with the best perception of safety in the country. Only 4.4% of its adult population reported feeling unsafe living there. It is followed by Piedras Negras, Coahuila, with 12.9%, and Benito Juárez Borough, Mexico City, with 20.4%.
The cities with the lowest perception of insecurity are:
- San Pedro Garza García, Nuevo León
- Piedras Negras, Coahuila
- Benito Juárez Borough, Mexico City
- Saltillo, Coahuila
- Los Cabos, Baja California Sur
- Los Mochis, Sinaloa
- La Paz, Baja California Sur
- San Nicolás de los Garza, Nuevo León
- Mérida, Yucatán
These cities stand out for maintaining high levels of public confidence, as well as implementing public security strategies and strong coordination between local and state authorities.
How Does INEGI Measure Safety?
The National Urban Public Security Survey (ENSU) does not count crimes. Instead, it directly asks people aged 18 and older whether they consider their city to be safe or unsafe. This indicator makes it possible to understand public perception and compare how it changes over time.
In March 2026, 61.5% of Mexicans living in urban areas reported feeling unsafe in the city where they live. Although this figure is lower than at the end of 2025, it still represents approximately six out of every ten residents.
The Perception of Safety Remains a Challenge
Specialists point out that the perception of safety can be influenced by various factors, including crime rates, police presence, public lighting, transportation, and public trust in government authorities.
Although some cities have successfully established themselves among the safest in the country, the ENSU shows that Mexico still faces significant national challenges in improving residents’ sense of security. The survey’s results serve as a tool for evaluating public policies and guiding actions aimed at strengthening safety within communities.
Source: informador
