Seeking a tranquil escape in the heart of Canada’s most bustling city, Toronto?
Where can you truly feel safe and secure?
Look no further.
We’ve gathered official crime statistics from Toronto police, government agencies, and neighborhood surveys to reflect residents’ perceptions of safety.
Additionally, we consulted expert opinions to help you choose the best neighborhoods for tourism and accommodation.
Our analysis of Toronto’s top five neighborhoods—Leaside Bennington, the Beaches, Lawrence Park North, Forest Hill South, and Rosedale Moore Park—reveals the areas known for their tranquility, low crime rates, and vibrant sense of community.
Toronto crime statistics 2024:
The latest data on Toronto crime, which the Toronto police department last updated on the 7th of October 2024, shows:
Assaults and auto theft are the biggest crimes in Toronto so far in 2024, with 19,892 assaults and 7486 auto thefts reported! Still, these crimes are less than in other cities!
CBC News Reports on Homicides in Toronto – March 2024
By March 2024, Toronto reported 16 homicides, a slight increase from the same period in 2023. However, experts advise against drawing conclusions from short-term fluctuations.
Shooting Homicides:
There were 9 shooting-related homicides in early 2024, a notable rise from just 1 during the same period last year. However, this figure remains lower than in 2022, which saw 13 shooting homicides.
Overall Gun Violence:
Despite the recent uptick in shooting homicides, the broader trend of gun violence in Toronto has been declining, with a significant 30% drop since 2019.
This points to a long-term reduction in firearm-related incidents, offering reassurance about overall safety in the city.
Toronto remains generally safe with gun violence continuing its downward trend.
Toronto neighborhoods crime severity index 2024:
Crime Index: 43.63 – This reflects a moderate crime level in Toronto.
Safety Index: 56.37 – A score above 50 suggests that Toronto is relatively safe.
The Crime Index of 43.63 means that Toronto has a moderate level of crime, which indicates that while crime does exist, it is not as severe as in many other cities.
People living in or visiting Toronto can expect some level of petty crimes such as theft or vandalism, but violent crime rates are relatively low.
This creates a general sense of safety, especially in well-monitored areas like downtown or affluent neighborhoods.
A Safety Index of 56.37 indicates that most Toronto residents feel comfortable walking around the city, even at night. Scores above 50 reflect a general sense of security in daily life, with a low risk of encountering serious crime.
This makes Toronto an attractive destination for families, tourists, and professionals seeking a stable, low-risk environment.
Toronto fares better than other North American cities. Chicago and Los Angeles typically have higher crime indices, indicating more prevalent crime rates.
For instance, Chicago’s crime index often exceeds 60, indicating higher levels of violence and property crime, making Toronto significantly safer by comparison.
Globally, Toronto is often ranked as one of the safest major cities, with cities like New York and Mexico City reporting much higher crime levels.
This positions Toronto as a safe destination both regionally and internationally, enhancing its reputation for livability and tourism.
Safe neighborhoods in Toronto:
The Toronto police neighborhood crime map provides a detailed overview of various crimes, including shootings, robberies, homicides, auto thefts, and break-ins.
This valuable resource allows residents and visitors to stay informed about the safety of different neighborhoods.
A place’s livability is significantly influenced by its safety. Factors such as the ability to commute safely at night, walk freely, and enjoy a lower cost of living are all interconnected with crime rates.
Top 5 safest neighborhoods in Toronto:
Leaside-Bennington is the safest city for young families:
Crime rate:
Located in East York, Leaside-Bennington is a family-friendly area with a significant population aged 25-54.
Despite the rise in robbery as compared to previous years, motorcycle theft and assaults have gone down!
According to Areavibes, with low crime rates, excellent schools, and many parks, here are some neighborhoods in and around Bennington Heights, Toronto, ON, with high livability scores of 86/100 in 2024:
- Moore Park (0.5 mi / 0.9 km).
- Governor’s Bridge (0.4 mi / 0.7 km).
- Lawrence Park (2.1 mi / 3.4 km).
- The Distillery District (3.1 mi / 5 km).
These are known for peaceful residential streets and upscale homes!
The Beaches – Secure vacation destination!
Crime rate:
This neighborhood, located in the east end of Toronto, is known for its relaxed atmosphere, beautiful waterfront, and safety. The Beaches offer a close-knit community feel and are popular with families due to meager crime rates.
Destination Toronto ranks it as a top destination for tourists, renowned for its festivals and winter installations!
The Beaches has an average of 7.8 crimes against people per 1,000 people living and working in the area. Areavibes reports its crime rates as 63% lower than the national average; violent crimes in The Beaches are 62% lower than the national average!
Lawrence Park North– Safest Wealthy Toronto neighborhood!
Crime rate:
One of Toronto’s more affluent neighborhoods, Lawrence Park North, is considered very safe. It has a reputation for being family-oriented, with excellent schools and many parks.
Overall, crime at Lawrence Park is 72% lower than the national average, and violent crimes are 71% lower than the national average!
This means that Lawrence Park has significantly lower crime rates than the average for Canada.
According to crime grade, for every 1,000 people living in Lawrence Park, there are approximately 1.181 violent crimes.
Forest Hill South – A safe and affluent neighborhood with large family homes.
Forest Hill South is a prestigious and peaceful neighborhood known for its large homes, top-rated schools, and low crime rates. It’s a popular area among families and professionals.
According to Areavibes, 72% fewer crimes occur in Forest Hill South than in the rest of Canada. Specifically, violent crimes are 71% less frequent in Forest Hill than in the national average.
Forest Hill South has the lowest assault rate per 10,000 residents.
Rosedale-Moore Park – A wealthy and safe neighborhood.
Rosedale-Moore Park is one of Toronto’s wealthiest and most exclusive neighborhoods. It is known for its large, historic homes, tree-lined streets, and safety, consistently ranking among the safest areas in the city.
According to Areavibes, there is a 1 in 86 chance of becoming a victim of crime in Rosedale Moore Park!
How many people moved to Toronto?
People often move to a new city or neighborhood if they see better employment opportunities or growth in their business. We saw a massive uptick in the number of people immigrating to Toronto, Ontario!
Interprovincial migration in the second quarter of 2024:
- 25,480 people moved to Ontario from other provinces (down 5.8% from Q2 2023).
- 34,691 people left Ontario for other provinces (down 6.8% from Q2 2023).
Ontario had a net population loss of 9,211 people, a decrease of 9.3% from Q2 2023.
International immigration in the second quarter of 2024.
- 94,278 people immigrated to Ontario from outside Canada.
This represents a 37.4% decrease compared to Q2 2023.
In 2024, Ontario experienced a net population loss from interprovincial migration but gained population through international immigration, though both saw significant decreases compared to 2023.
However, safety is not the only reason for these factors, such as the rising housing costs and living expenses, which might have pushed residents to move to more affordable provinces.
Provinces with growing industries or lower unemployment rates might have attracted Ontario residents!
What do the locals say about the safest neighborhoods in Toronto?
Social media platforms such as Reddit and Quora have emerged as powerful forums where individuals can share firsthand experiences of crime, seek advice, express concerns, or describe their feelings of safety in Toronto.
To identify the city’s safest neighborhoods, we consulted Tom Clyde, a construction engineer and long-time resident of Toronto for 80 years.
“I’d recommend living in the Bay Street Corridor or Downtown Toronto. These areas feature some of the safest and most expensive condominiums in the city.”
He is right, Downtown Toronto has the best places to live for young professionals, such as:
- The Distillery District is a pedestrian-friendly area with low crime rates and a vibrant atmosphere. Due to its cultural attractions and well-maintained environment, it’s popular with both residents and tourists.
- Harbourfront – Situated along the waterfront, Harbourfront is a highly desirable neighborhood known for its safety, modern condos, and proximity to downtown amenities. Its peaceful surroundings and frequent police presence make it one of the safest areas in Toronto.
- Bay Street Corridor – Located in the heart of the financial district, Bay Street Corridor is a busy yet safe area with a strong security presence. This neighborhood is home to many high-rise condos and is popular with professionals working in the downtown core.
- Yorkville – A prestigious, upscale neighborhood in Downtown Toronto, Yorkville is known for its luxury shopping, fine dining, and low crime rate. The area’s affluent nature and excellent police presence contribute to its reputation for safety.
- St. Lawrence – St. Lawrence is another historic downtown neighborhood with a strong sense of community and low crime rates. It offers a mix of residential areas and bustling markets, making it a popular location for families and professionals.
Kevin Nightingale, Tax accountant living in Toronto for 54 years, says:
“The reason Toronto real estate prices have been on an intense tear is that it’s such a livable city, and the rest of the world is figuring it out. There are very few “bad” areas where you wouldn’t want to live. Even our “bad” areas have crime rates that are better than most other places’ good neighborhoods!
Paul Allamby, Co-Founder & Gin Maker at Levenswater, Inc., says :
“Toronto, one of the largest cities in North America, ranks 4th in size, just behind Mexico City, New York, and Los Angeles. Despite its size, it is recognized as the 6th safest city globally and the safest in North America, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit.”
Toronto crime rate map 2024:
Image courtesy of Areavibes.
The 2024 Toronto crime rate map breaks down the city into four main regions—Northern, Western, Eastern, and Southern Toronto—highlighting both the crime rates and safer neighborhoods within each area. Here’s a quick overview:
| Region | Crime Rate | Job Opportunities | Home Prices | Safer Neighborhoods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Toronto | Low | Proximity to corporate hubs | Expensive (CAD $2M) | Leaside-Bennington, Lawrence Park North |
| Western Toronto | Moderate | Growing creative industries | Mid-to-high range (CAD $1.2M) | The Junction, High Park |
| Eastern Toronto | Moderate | Diverse sectors | Moderate to high (CAD $1.2M-$1.8M) | The Beaches, Riverdale |
| Southern Toronto | Low | Strong job market in finance, tourism, and tech | Expensive condos (CAD $900K-$1.5M) | Distillery District, Harbourfront |
The most dangerous neighborhoods in Toronto 2024:
While we talked about Toronto’s most peaceful and serene areas, we also want to give you a glimpse into the most dangerous neighborhoods. Woodbine Lumsden, Young Eglington, and Mimico Queensway are the top three neighborhoods in the list of 10 high-crime areas in Toronto!
How do you stay safe anywhere in Toronto?
Simple answer: CCTV surveillance integrated with remote video monitoring!
Image courtesy of abacusdata.
63% of Torontonians believe CCTV security surveillance cameras are the most effective tool for detecting security breaches.
However, many need to realize that video surveillance cameras offer a far more proactive security solution when combined with live remote video monitoring.
The biggest concern in Toronto, like many other cities, is gun violence and other serious crimes. As shown above, 52 % believe improved response times are the key safety indicator.
So, with AI-powered video analytics, remote video monitoring can take surveillance to the next level with swift detection and prompt action!
Here’s how it works:
- As soon as the security camera analytics detect anomalies—such as a gun, intrusion, or violent behavior—an alarm is triggered at the remote monitoring center.
- Trained operators then assess the situation in real time through live video feeds.
- From there, they take immediate action by intervening directly through audio warnings or contacting the authorities (such as the police) to resolve the situation.
- The remote monitoring team remains actively involved until the issue is resolved.
Businesses across North America are increasingly relying on this cutting-edge security solution, protecting themselves and their communities with AI-driven detection technology for instant response.
Key takeaways:
- Toronto’s safest neighborhoods are Leaside-Bennington, The Beaches, Lawrence Park North, Forest Hill South, and Rosedale-Moore Park. These neighborhoods are known for low crime rates, family-friendly environments, and strong community ties.
- Homicides slightly increased in early 2024, but gun violence has dropped 30% since 2019, reinforcing Toronto’s long-term safety.
- Safe neighborhoods offer high livability, with convenient access to schools, parks, and amenities, driving up home prices in areas like Lawrence Park and Leaside.
Conclusion:
Toronto is one of the largest and safest cities in North America. Neighborhoods like Leaside-Bennington, The Beaches, and Lawrence Park North offer family-friendly environments, excellent schools, green spaces, and vibrant community activities.
Residents in these areas enjoy peaceful surroundings, well-maintained parks, and strong social ties, making them ideal for raising families or settling into a calm, lively, urban setting.
While crime and homicide rates in the city saw a slight increase earlier this year, long-term trends show a sharp decline in gun violence, reflecting a positive shift toward greater public safety in Toronto.
Contact us today for a customized security solution for your business.
Contact us today for a customized security solution featuring live remote video monitoring in Toronto and other neighborhood locations across North America.
