Despite War, Tel Aviv and Jerusalem Earn Spots as Safe Cities in Global Report
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by Troy O. Fritzhand
Cars drive on a highway as a train enters a station in Tel Aviv, Israel November 25, 2018. Picture taken November 25, 2018. REUTERS/Corinna Kern
Despite the war, Jerusalem and Tel Aviv rank higher in terms of safety than most American cities, including places like New York City and Los Angeles, according to a just-released report
According to Numbeo’s Crime Index 2024, Tel Aviv is the 41st most safe city in the world and Jerusalem sits at number 114. This is as New York City ranks in 204th place and Los Angeles 230. Per Numbeo’s measurements, the Crime Index takes into factor things such as perception of crime rate, actual crimes – such as property related or violent crimes, and discrimination. On the flip side, the Safety Index, which runs opposite of the Crime Index, tells how safe a city is to live.
Topping the list of safest cities are Abu Dhabi, Taipei, Doha, Ajman in the United Arab Emirates, and Dubai. Abu Dhabi has topped the list for years, as the UAE has invested extensively into keep their cities crime free in hopes to continue attracting foreign talent. To demonstrate this, per current census data 88% of the country’s population – roughly 9 million people – are expats. This compares to just over one million natives living in the country.
The least safe place in the world, according to Numbeo, is Caracas, Venezuela, with a Crime Index of 82.2. Quite ironically, South Africa, which has taken one of the most vocal stances against Israel in the current war against Hamas, accusing the Jewish state of “genocide,” has four of its cities in the top 10 least safe cities, three of which are in the top five. This includes the nation’s capital, Pretoria, as well as Durban and Johannesburg.
Other notable unsafe cities are Detroit, which is the 14th most dangerous city in the world, Albuquerque at 17, New Orleans placed at 30, and Chicago as the 33rd most dangerous place in the world.
Despite the war currently raging next door in Israel, and the constant threat of terror attacks, Israel is perceived as a generally safe place. Moreover, residents maintain a high quality of life, as evidenced by the country’s placing number 4 in the World Happiness Report’s list of happiest countries.
