The Safest City in Brazil Leads a Surprising Security Ranking. Can More Brazilian Municipalities Reach This Level of Protection?
If you think public safety is a constant challenge in large Brazilian cities, get ready for a surprise.
Amid the urban violence that marks Brazil, a city in the interior of São Paulo stands out for achieving a surprisingly low crime rate.
A recent study reveals a municipality where the homicide rate is almost non-existent, leaving behind cities from various regions and establishing a new standard of safety for the country.
-
Mr. Mário reveals the technique of the caipira papaya: he cuts the fruit in half, discards the seeds from the tip, and plants the ones from the back to increase the chance of a productive female tree.
-
Few remember, but the submarine that disappeared in 1968 with 52 crew members was found after 51 years at the bottom of the sea at more than 2,000 meters, intriguing the entire world.
-
With 1,200 tons suspended, the Japan mega-structure in a grid shape with a floating sphere from Fuji TV features two 25-story towers connected by elevated walkways, titanium panels, and impresses the world with its ability to reduce wind impact.
-
The village where two rivers run side by side without mixing in Santarém and Alter do Chão reveals some of the most beautiful freshwater beaches on the planet.
With such positive numbers, the question remains: what makes this city an example in safety?
According to the survey by the real estate guide MySide, Valinhos, in the interior of São Paulo, ranks first as the safest city in Brazil.
With a rate of 0.9 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants, Valinhos is ahead of other São Paulo cities that dominate the top positions.
This study crossed data from the Mortality Monitoring Panel of the Secretariat of Health and Environmental Surveillance (SVSA), of the Ministry of Health, and the census of the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), ensuring a robust and comprehensive analysis of public safety indices in the country.
Valinhos: The Safest City in the Country
Valinhos is a medium-sized city located in the metropolitan region of Campinas and has approximately 130,000 inhabitants.
The city is not only known for its safety but also for its agricultural production, especially of purple figs and guavas, which earned it the title of “Capital of the Purple Fig.”
Additionally, Valinhos has been noted as the best city in Brazil in Social Indicators by Austin Rating Consultancy in the 2nd edition of the Best Cities in Brazil Yearbook 2022, published by Isto É magazine.
The title of safest city is the result of a series of public policies and local initiatives focused on safety and well-being. Valinhos combines an efficient public safety structure, investment in monitoring and preventive actions, and a good social development index, which contributes to its prominent position.
Top 10 Safest Cities in Brazil
The MySide study listed the safest cities in Brazil, considering only municipalities with more than 100,000 inhabitants.
The top positions are dominated by São Paulo cities, which frequently appear in the ranking. Here are the ten cities that stand out for their safety, according to the survey:
- Valinhos – SP: 0.9 homicides/100,000 inhabitants
- Botucatu – SP: 1.4 homicides/100,000 inhabitants
- Tatuí – SP: 1.6 homicides/100,000 inhabitants
- Sertãozinho – SP: 2.4 homicides/100,000 inhabitants
- Jaraguá do Sul – SC: 2.8 homicides/100,000 inhabitants
- Várzea Paulista – SP: 3.4 homicides/100,000 inhabitants
- Indaiatuba – SP: 3.4 homicides/100,000 inhabitants
- Votorantim – SP: 3.5 homicides/100,000 inhabitants
- Araxá – MG: 3.6 homicides/100,000 inhabitants
- Santana de Parnaíba – SP: 3.9 homicides/100,000 inhabitants
This ranking provides an interesting view of the different levels of safety among Brazilian cities, with São Paulo in the spotlight.
The presence of Valinhos and other São Paulo cities in the top positions of the ranking is not casual.
Many of these municipalities have public policies focused on safety and quality of life, emphasizing education and police monitoring, which contribute to the reduction of crime rates.
The Secret to Safety in Valinhos
Valinhos’ leadership in the safety ranking can be attributed to a combination of social and economic factors that help maintain order and tranquility in the municipality.
In addition to well-executed public policies, the city has a high level of social organization, with residents collaborating with security forces and taking care of their own community.
The low crime rate is also a reflection of a strong and diversified local economy, which allows residents access to quality jobs and services.
According to analysts, the results in Valinhos highlight how the integration between security forces and community actions can serve as a model to be replicated in other cities.
This scenario reinforces the importance of preventive policies that prioritize community involvement in local security and ongoing monitoring to keep violence under control.
Why Do São Paulo Cities Dominate the Security Ranking?
The cities of São Paulo state, which represent most of the security ranking, have established themselves as models in public safety in Brazil.
According to experts, the leadership of São Paulo in this index is not a matter of chance, but rather constant investments in police training and real-time monitoring programs.
Many municipalities adopt surveillance cameras, strengthen visible policing, and invest in intelligence centers.
Besides Valinhos, cities like Botucatu, Tatuí, and Sertãozinho also stand out for their quality of life and safety.
Although public safety is a national challenge, these cities offer an alternative reality to the violence that many regions face.
Safety in Numbers: How the Study Was Conducted
To arrive at the ranking, MySide used the Mortality Monitoring Panel, which tracks homicide rates in the country, as well as information from the IBGE census.
The data is extremely relevant to outline the profile of the cities and understand how crime rates vary according to urban and social development.
This type of study, conducted continuously, provides a comparative analysis of safety in Brazil and highlights that urban planning and investment in public safety can generate significant impacts on the quality of life for residents.
The conclusions drawn from the survey are clear: public safety in Brazil is not uniform, and some cities stand out as examples, especially those that combine security policies, infrastructure, and active community participation.
And you, what do you think? Can more Brazilian cities achieve the level of safety of Valinhos and the others in the ranking?

Seja o primeiro a reagir!