Canada : Safety by City
- Abbotsford
- Brampton
- Burnaby
- Calgary
- Coquitlam
- Edmonton
- Halifax
- Hamilton
- Kelowna
- Kitchener
- Mississauga
- Montreal
- Nanaimo
- Niagara Falls
- Oshawa
- Ottawa
- Quebec City
- Red Deer
- Regina
- Saskatoon
- Thunder Bay
- Toronto
- Vancouver
- Victoria
- Windsor
- Winnipeg
Toronto is one of the largest vacation destinations in Canada.
It is also one of the most popular vacation destinations overall.
This is because the city is full of things that can entertain the whole family, from couples looking for a night out enjoying adult fun to young children.
This destination is considered to be the fourth safest city in the world, and the safest in North America.
Let’s see how safe it really is.
Warnings & Dangers in Toronto
OVERALL RISK: LOW
Toronto is the least dangerous city in North America and among the top safest cities in the world. However, like any other big city, some crime problems exist and some areas should be avoided by tourists.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
Driving in Canada is relatively safe, although tourists are advised to use public transportation and taxis when touring the city. There are no reported risks in terms of transport and taxis in Toronto.
PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH
Toronto is relatively safe in terms of pickpocketing. However, some records of pickpocketing were made in restaurants and cafés, so tourists need to be careful to minimize the probability of theft.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
Natural disasters are not strange to Canadians, as one of the most geographically diverse countries in the world. Possible disasters are tornadoes, snowstorms, and floods, depending on the region, but the risk level in Toronto is low.
MUGGING RISK: HIGH
As most of the major cities in Canada, Toronto is considered a safe city when mugging and kidnapping risks are concerned. Nevertheless, awareness of your surroundings is necessary.
TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
An act of terrorism could occur in Canada since it can never be predicted. This means that tourists need to be constantly vigilant.
SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
Unlike other Canadian cities, where scam risks are unlikely and not reported, Toronto has certain reported risk, especially via the Internet, when tourists buy tickets online. Pay attention to the website where you enter your credit card information, because some of them might not be secure.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM
The general crime rate in Toronto is very low and the city has a reputation as one of the safest major cities in North America so it is very welcoming for women travelers. Since women travel for countless reasons, often alone, when it comes to security women face greater obstacles, so they should not be on the street after dark, especially around Parliament and Jarvis Streets.
TAP WATER RISK: LOW
The tap water risk is very low in Toronto. It is fine to drink the tap water nearly everywhere throughout Canada, and Toronto is no exception. The city purifies its water and follows health safety standards.
Safest Places to Visit in Toronto
Most of Toronto is safe, but there are a few areas that stand out as both safe and full of interesting things to see.
Let’s take a look at a few of these.
- West Queen West – This is the area of town where hipsters frequent on a night out. The area has numerous hipster bars. This area is a blend of both historic and innovative buildings, and there are numerous art galleries to visit.
- Downtown West – This is an area right in the heart of downtown Toronto and is considered the ideal location for families. Families can find activities here that will please everyone, from the youngest toddler to the grandparents.
- Chinatown – A visit to Toronto will not be complete without a visit to Chinatown. This is an area where you get a unique experience, with many street markets and shops. It has an excellent reputation for its variety of delicious foods. Those looking for budget accommodations can find many choices in Chinatown.
Places to Avoid in Toronto
Everywhere you go in this world, there are places you need to avoid for safety reasons, and Toronto is no exception.
There are three main areas of the city to avoid, especially at night.
- Moss Park – This is one of the most dangerous places in Toronto. There are numerous stabbings throughout the year here. Open drug use is something you will be exposed to, and the danger of discarded needles is always a hazard.
- St. James Town – This is a part of town that is very heavily populated. While the dangers from people are not raised here, this part of town has many older buildings that have been neglected and could be fire hazards. Elevators are old and can stop working randomly, and emergency response time is often slowed because there are so many people in the area.
- Western-Mount Dennis – This part of town has the highest risk of car theft. It is also a place that is populated with many unsafe rooming houses, populated by drifters and drug addicts.
Safety Tips for Traveling to Toronto
- Secure all valuables – Most hotels have safes, or you can purchase extra safety locks for your rooms. Make sure all valuables, including the originals of travel papers, are always in a secure place.
- Don’t leave items unattended in public – Even if you are just standing up to walk to a trash bin a couple of feet away, make sure you take your bags with you. It only takes a few seconds to snatch an unattended bag and run.
- Avoid alleys and abandoned buildings – This is basic common sense, but many people, especially photographers, love exploring these places. If you feel the urge, make sure you have a trustworthy companion and a working phone.
- Use inside ATMs – Inside ATMs are less likely to have any kind of security theft device attached to them. It is also safer to get any money out and have it in a secure place before leaving if you are inside.
- Plan routes in advance – By doing this, you increase your safety in two ways. First, you are able to avoid the less safe areas of town; secondly, you can inform someone of your expected route so they know where to look in the case of an emergency.
- Try to blend in – It is often the obvious tourist that is the target of pickpockets. By blending in with the regulars, you make yourself seem less visible and less likely to be targeted.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help – If something doesn’t feel right, or you get lost, don’t be afraid to find a safe place, such as a business, and ask for the help you need. Don’t allow pride to cause you to be unsafe.
- Only carry copies of important papers – Keep your passport and other ID in a safe place, not on your person. Carry copies of all your ID in case it is needed. If it is necessary, you can ask for the opportunity to retrieve the originals.
- Keep updated on weather reports – This is especially important in the winter. Snowstorms can arise quickly. You need to be prepared to seek shelter if the weather becomes too harsh.
- Don’t drink alone – This may seem to only apply to women traveling alone, but it is just as dangerous for men. If possible, visit drinking establishments with a friend or find another single traveler and watch out for each other.
So... How Safe Is Toronto Really?
Based on the low likelihood of coming into contact with a violent crime, Toronto is very safe.
The country of Canada as a whole ranks 11th on the Global Peace Index.
The city itself is considered the safest in North America.
We are willing to give Toronto a rating of HIGH on the safety scale.
Using basic common sense and avoiding the worst areas of the city, a visitor can enjoy the multitude of activities this intriguing destination has to offer.
Check out weather reports for snow or wildfires, but other disasters are rare in this area and are few and far between.
The country itself is on constant alert for terrorism and has a strong protocol in place, so that isn’t likely to be a concern within the city.
How Does Toronto Compare?
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Toronto |
83 |
| Hamilton |
76 |
| Edmonton |
86 |
| Niagara Falls |
87 |
| Thunder Bay |
65 |
| Nanaimo |
32 |
| Burnaby |
65 |
 Mount Charleston | 77 |
| Myrtle Beach | 65 |
 San Salvador | 60 |
 Florianopolis | 72 |
| Massachusetts | 84 |
| Broken Arrow | 68 |
Useful Information
Visas
Since there is a difference among the citizens of certain countries and their necessity for a visa when entering Canada, the best way is to visit sites and get informed about your own country. An Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is required and costs CAD 7.
Currency
The Canadian dollar is the official currency of Canada. The best way of paying is by using a credit card. If you decide to exchange money, banks and exchange offices are the safest solution. Most stores would change your money, but they will choose the exchange rate which could not be suitable.
Weather
The city of Toronto has a humid continental climate which includes warm summers and cold winters. Winter months can be very cold, with an average temperature below 0 °C, and sometimes it can fall to −25 °C. During the summer, warm temperatures are usually between 20 and 30 °C. However, the weather cannot be predicted since it changes from day to day in all seasons.
Airports
Toronto Pearson International Airport, officially named Lester B. Pearson International Airport, is the busiest Canadian airport that is used not only by the travelers that come to Toronto but also to all other major cities in Canada. It is 22.5 km away from the city center. Some other smaller airports of Toronto are Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, Toronto/Buttonville Municipal Airport, and Toronto/Downsview Airport.
Travel Insurance
It is always advisable that travelers acquire a travel insurance policy in case of emergency medical expenses and lost, damaged or stolen private possessions.
Toronto Weather Averages (Temperatures)
Average High/Low Temperature
| Temperature / Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C |
-1 | 0 | 5 | 12 | 19 | 24 | 27 | 26 | 23 | 15 | 9 | 3 |
| Low °C |
-7 | -7 | -2 | 4 | 10 | 15 | 18 | 18 | 14 | 8 | 2 | -3 |
| High °F |
30 | 32 | 41 | 54 | 66 | 75 | 81 | 79 | 73 | 59 | 48 | 37 |
| Low °F |
19 | 19 | 28 | 39 | 50 | 59 | 64 | 64 | 57 | 46 | 36 | 27 |
Canada - Safety by City
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Abbotsford | 83 |
| Brampton | 82 |
| Burnaby | 65 |
| Calgary | 85 |
| Coquitlam | 86 |
| Edmonton | 86 |
| Halifax | 79 |
| Hamilton | 76 |
| Kelowna | 76 |
| Kitchener | 75 |
| Mississauga | 85 |
| Montreal | 82 |
| Nanaimo | 32 |
| Niagara Falls | 87 |
| Oshawa | 42 |
| Ottawa | 83 |
| Quebec City | 88 |
| Red Deer | 32 |
| Regina | 74 |
| Saskatoon | 73 |
| Thunder Bay | 65 |
| Toronto | 83 |
| Vancouver | 80 |
| Victoria | 82 |
| Windsor | 81 |
| Winnipeg | 78 |
Toronto the safe?
Toronto Is not safer than when I migrated to this country. The news of gun violence increase every day, I remember in the few years after I came to Canada I could hear of the occasional shooting but nothing like what we’re seeing now. Ok I also have to factor that when I came I was also comparing my native country to this one and that my main focus was not necessarily the news of the day because I had to worry about providing food and shelter to my family and that is why I don’t say when I came, but after three years of living here one can definitely asses what the situation was before and more than 10 years after. In short and as like politicians like to say, Toronto is still a safe city but compared to what? That’s the problem I don’t like to compare or your lowering your bar conveniently. The current ford government is not helping either. Public safety starts with comprehensive programs for youth and families in need.
I have lived in Toronto my entire life and never seen a gun or heard a gunshot.
Lived in Toronto for 4 years from 2010 to 2014 during my undergraduate. Personally didn’t like it because I don’t like concrete jungles and unnatural environments but hey those are just my preferences. Came back to live there for the last 4 months of 2019 and the stuff I saw and experienced took a toll on my mental health. Saw so much street crime and encountered the scum of the earth in this city. Towards the end of my stay I actually felt that one day I would leave my apartment and not come back alive. I think my fear is somewhat justified due to recent events such as targeted killing on rapper Houdini in broad daylight in Toronto during which innocent bystanders were also hurt. On top of that to make things worse, there was a full on gang war at his vigil. I mean I come from Supposedly one of the most dangerous, overcrowded and worst cities in the world, Karachi, there is a lot of street crime there but people only rob, murder and do other horrible things and get hurt if they are seriously involved in that world. On the other hand I feel that in Toronto there could scums and psychos anywhere who would kill you over a petty matter, accidentally or due to collateral damage in these stupid situations. I would think that as a city etc Toronto beats Karachi in terms of development infrastructure etc but in terms of safety Toronto is probably just as bad as Karachi and that police/law enforcement should do more and be harsh on criminals of these horrible crimes to set an example for anyone thinking of causing trouble in the city. But hey that’s just my opinion. Sorry if I offended anyone who hold Toronto close to their heart.
did u really just compare toronto to karachi and say it was similar in terms of safety? lol
Yes… YES HE DID. HOW CAN YOU TAKE A GUY LIKE THIS SERIOUSLY. KARACHI HAS SO MUCH CRIME THAT PEOPLE DONT EVEN REPORT IT PLUS WHO ARE THEY GOING TO REPORT IT TOO. THE SO CALLED POLICE FORCE THAT MAKE MORE MONEY ON BRIBES THEN SALARY PLUS IF YOU ARE NOT FROM THE RIGHT RELIGION THE COPS WILL JUST BEAT YOU AND CALL YOU A CHEWRAA
Where do you live that you hear “occasional” shootings. I have been in Toronto over 50 years and have never heard one my entire life. There are bad areas in every city, possibly you just happen to live in one.
Harassment conspiracy
I’ve been in Toronto for three years. I came in during Covid. Been stuck here ever since. Kidnapped by Shaunna Kelly and Trista Prince. Whom are the dictators. This is the stuff you won’t see or here. But evil ways are dressed in a business suit and a half organized mom. Theives for the most part. Enablers of sorrow. Difficult with all companies which are directly influenced by these two women. Don’t come here. Stay away. Even the police didn’t do shit for me. Now Shaunna wants a lawyer. For what she stole everything from me. In process of reclaiming my life. Good luck and best wishes.
Love it!
I was born in Toronto and lived there for nearly 15 years of my life. I moved to the US with my father after my mother passed away and we still go back once a year to visit. It is just as good as it was, if not better from when I grew up there. A lively city full of diverse love.
Go there!
Toronto is one of those places that shocks you to be as safe as it is. It is a major city so there will always be crime but in comparison to a place like New York City, you can consider this place safer than your grandma’s backyard. LOL! But seriously, if you are thinking of going, go. It is great!
Toronto is a beautiful place. Have you ever seen WolfieRaps? in youtube? ask him and you’ll know.
Love this city
I’m 52, born and raised in Toronto, live right downtown and I too have never heard a gun shot. I’ve never felt unsafe walking home at anytime, never. People are friendly, beautiful waterfront, great restaurants and attractions. I love Toronto (as will you), I think its one of the most underrated cities in the world.
Was a good and safe city once...
I’m 50 and was born in Toronto. The city that I grew up in sadly no longer exists. As one of the previous reviews stated, Toronto has become as bad as Karachi (maybe even worse) in many, many areas of the city. Shootings, stabbings, muggings, and crime in general occur constantly, and are not even widely reported anymore. Crime in Toronto has skyrocketed as the demographics of the city continue to change. There are many large areas in the city that can now be considered slums, filled with marginalized people who have no income other than social assistance, and live in poorly maintained government housing. As the government continues to settle the majority of new Canadian immigrants into Toronto, the existing population is continuing to leave the city in droves. Foreign buyers have caused real estate values to reach levels that only the wealthy can afford, which only quickens the exit of working class people from the city. I feel very sad reflecting upon what Toronto has become today. It is quickly becoming the “Detroit” of Canada…
200% accurate. you took the words from my mouth. And I am ONE OF THOSE planning to leave as soon as I can . I never thought I would move to the suburbs but this communist government has forced me to do so. I only wish Trudeau and Tory and Ford lived and worked on the streets of Toronto to experience the every day problems. Tourism will suffer. I am embarrassed at my city right now. I have to step over homeless on every corner. Tory needs to be fired.
Go farther
The intentional(planned by those who run Canukistan) troubles coming… you want to get as far away from the replacements as possible; It might well come down to your survival!
Robert, have not been to Toronto in years and am looking forward to visiting, when possible, for the first time in years. I know nothing is the way it was but my perspective is interesting. I live across The Lake and can tell you that the crime rate in Rochester (population 200,000) is worse than in your large city. Toronto’s population is comparable to Chicago, which tells me a lot.
Not surprising.
As expected from a 50 year old man living in Toronto for majority of his life lmao
Sucks
If you come to live here, enjoy worrying about your loved ones everytime they leave the house.
no self respect for Toronto
Homeless scattered on sidewalks, sleeping right downtown on the streets, sidewalks in parks..gangs shooting downtown and idiots missing and hitting innocent people. Hired kills offered to street gangs to do the dirty job of mafia….condos mushrooming and only rich foreign asians can afford thanks to mommy and daddy’s financing, no sense of community, every culture sticks to their own, also no white people left and we’re being called racist as soon as we open our mouths…apparently we have ‘white privilege’. Please sign me up. where is that white privilege that you speak of, i would love to have some. Meanwhile some black folks I know have houses. I still can’t afford one. Not in Toronto. It’s full of garbage also. Smells bad often. No greenery. No parks. Very dirty. Im one of those that is soon moving to the suburbs as well…..Good Luck Toronto. Tory Should be Fired.
No need to announce your exit. Good riddance to getting rid of self pitying trash.
She is exaggerating but overall correct.
“only rich foreign asians can afford” because “only douche landowning whites” kept exploiting the market and selling their worthless lands or randown housing for ever more profit in exchange for that easy money.
Toronto is a very very very safe and well managed city.
The paranoid agoraphobes who think Toronto is more dangerous than Karachi are hilarious trolls planted by some competitive city. Anyone reading should ignore these comments altogether. They are not legitimate or are written by people with more irrational fears than sense. I have lived in downtown Toronto, in lively Kensington Market for thirty years. I go out at all times of day and late at night and nothing ever happens except the occasional person asking you politely for money. I had a dinner party recently and as some of the single women left at 2 am, I suggested walking them to the streetcar stop and they all without fail laughed at the absurdity of such an unnecessary gesture. It’s perfectly safe.
Yup, the only real issue are a few drunkards and WEIRD WEATHER CYCLES, but the rest is all good
UGH people in the city are drunk an there is a lot of fires ive seen. as an american i dont feel safe in toronto. but better visit montreal.
Worst city in Canada.
I wasn’t sure about this sites safety index… So I looked up Toronto, an area I know somewhat well… Clearly I can’t trust the results here..
The last of my family moved out of Toronto AREA* about 3 years ago.
Multiculturalism doing it’s thing (destruction).
I wouldn’t spend 6months in Toronto if you offered me $150k.
It is NOT the worst city in canada and it is not very unsafe but the roads can be unsafe
Please explain how multiculturalism is bad, please do.
Just go sit in any Toronto hospital and watch the pure Sh&t show of people just trying to get an X-ray done. People standing in line while every 3rd person has to request a translator… while you wait for the translator you can alway watch the side show of people trying to fill in forms who can’t speak English or French but that’s ok because they have brought 5 family members with them to fill up the ER while waiting for gramma’s ankle X-ray. The last public Health audit for Toronto found that lack of a common language cost Ont tax payers over 150 million per year and then that does not cover any of the medical mistakes made again due to language. Let’s not even talk about seniors who have not paid a dime in taxes yet draining medical resources from tax paying Canadians of every colour and religion.
wtf are you talking about
You may see all these reviews talking bout drugs and shootings, just remember, you are allowed to keep a gun if you have a permit. And if sus activities are detected, you will lose ur permit
Get Real
Wow, some folks here are warped. I’ve lived here for the entirety of my 41 years. I’ve also traveled the world. Toronto is very safe, despite some (mostly gang-related) crime. As for the tools who don’t like other cultures, feel free to leave. Go live your miserable lives somewhere else.
Facts were spoken
Safe and lively
Lived here for 14 years. We travel extensively around the world and there are very few cities as safe as it is in Toronto. Have partied late night walked through many different streets in downtown and mid-town the only annoyance would be a few druggies/drunks asking for money or a cigarette. A polite no to them comes with a “have a good night” response.
Guns & noise
Overpriced, unsafe, noisy. This city is overrated with extreme white collar crime as well as gun violence.
I can say having lived in Toronto my entire life, I have never walked around day or night fearing for my safety. Any city with a large population can have sporadic crime. Compared to comparable cities in the world, all Canadian cities would rank amongst the safest.
I was born in Toronto and still live here. Never had a problem with crime, or being out late at night. You couldn’t pay enough to leave Toronto.
Used to feel a little safer...
I used to feel a lot safer about public transit in the city ( I worked down town for years). Lately there have been a lot of weird things going on on the TTC and Subway – stabbings, attacks etc. Then there’s the crazy things like a group of young girls (teens) who knifed a homeless man to death. Or the gang related violence happening in some parts of the city. Even car jackings (I remember recently that hockey player who got his car stolen at gunpoint while out on a movie date with his gf) Now like any big city, you’re going to get sketchy areas and those that are perfectly fine. I’m not saying that midday in yorkville you’re going to get a brawl or someone threatening you with a knife, but as time goes on I’ve realized I feel less unwaveringly safe on the streets of Toronto, and just a little more cautious/tense. Especially when it’s dark, or I’m alone for whatever reason.
So, Toronto’s supposed to be the “safest” city in North America, huh? Guess that explains why I’m still clutching my bag like it’s a lifeline every time I step out.
So, it’s the “safest” city in North America, huh? I guess that’s just a fancy way of saying you can still get mugged in broad daylight but at least you won’t be shot.
Oh great, let’s take a family trip to the “safest city in North America” and hope we don’t get lost in the maze of overpriced attractions and traffic.
Knowing it’s ranked the fourth safest city in the world and the safest in North America actually makes me feel pretty at ease when I take the family out to check the kid-friendly spots.