Oct 7, 2024
Money experts at Money.ca investigated the Canadian cities least likely to be affected by arson, robbery, impaired driving and burglary. Using Canadian Crime Index data, the number of offenses for each crime was calculated per 100,000 of the population. These factors were then combined and ranked to generate a top 10 list of Canada’s safest areas.
Key takeaways
- Toronto is the safest Canadian city to live in, with 286.9 offenses per 100k residents.
- Toronto experiences five times fewer breaking and entering crimes than Lethbridge.
- Lethbridge is the Canadian city most affected by crime, with 1,190 instances per 100k of the population.
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Top 10 safest places to live in Canada
1. Toronto - 286.9 offenses per 100k
2. Quebec - 301 offenses per 100k
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3. Ottawa-Gatineau, QC - 318.8 offenses per 100k
4. Sherbrooke - 327.4 offenses per 100k
5. Ottawa-Gatineau, ON - 333.9 offenses per 100k
6. Montreal - 356.7 offenses per 100k
7. Barrie - 356.7 offenses per 100k
8. Trois-Riveres - 366.2 offenses per 100k
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9. Saguenay - 396.3 offenses per 100k
10. Hamilton - 420.6 offenses per 100k
According to recent data, Toronto is the safest place to live in Canada. Toronto is the city least prone to breaking and entering, with 150.8 instances of burglary per 100k of the population in 2021. Toronto is also in the top ten Canadian cities least likely to experience arson and impaired driving offenses.
Quebec is the second safest Canadian city to live in, with 301 offenses per 100,000 population. Quebec has the lowest number of robbery cases than any other Canadian city, with 12.2 violations in 2021. Quebec also scores low in breaking and entering occurrences, with the second lowest number behind Toronto, with 161.2 instances.
Ottawa-Gatineau, QC, is the third safest Canadian city to live in, with 318.8 offenses per 100,000 population. Ottawa-Gatineau, QC, is in the top ten Canadian cities least likely to experience robbery and breaking and entering.
Sherbrooke comes in fourth place with 327.4 offenses per 100k of the population. Sherbrook has the third-lowest number of robberies in 2021, with 16.6 cases. Additionally, instances of breaking and entering were the fourth lowest in Sherbrooke, with 169.7 occurrences in 2021.
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Ottawa-Gatineau, ON, is the fifth safest Canadian city to live in, with 333.9 offenses per 100k. Ottawa-Gatineau, ON, had the third lowest number of impaired driving cases in 2021, with 69.6 crimes. Ottawa-Gatineau, ON, also experienced low levels of arson, with 9.9 instances in 2021.
A spokesperson from Money.ca on the study:
“Looking at rates of arson, robbery, burglary, and driving under the influence in each area offers insights into the overall crime rates in Canadian cities that affect homeowners and families in particular. This study also highlights the areas where insurance premiums are perhaps lower, or residents may be less inclined to increase their insurance options to protect themselves from these occurrences.
The rates of safety can affect housing prices and appeal of various areas when looking to move or raise a family, with investment from individuals and government bodies alike needed to ensure more comfortable living among neighbourhoods.
For those looking to invest in real estate in Canada, this study offers an interesting look into where may be the most appropriate place to put their money into, and what this in turn, might mean for the housing market long term.”
Methodology
Canadian cities with a population of 100,000 or more people have been compiled with crime statistics that are relevant to homeowners (arson, robbery, impaired driving, and burglary). Using Canadian Crime Index data, the number of offenses for each crime in 2021 was calculated per 100,000 of the population. The experts combined these offenses and then ranked them to generate a top ten list of Canada’s safest and most dangerous areas to live in.
Sources
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Shruti Nair is a Digital PR Manager at Moneywise, bringing expertise in brand communications for the firm. With a Bachelor's degree in Journalism and a Master's in Media and Communication, Shruti has a deep understanding of the intersection between traditional and digital media landscapes. Her professional journey has seen her contribute insightful statistics articles to platforms like G2.com, where she distilled complex data into engaging narratives for diverse audiences.
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