Key Takeaways
- Ontario is one of the safest provinces in Canada, with a crime severity index of 56.21 in 2021, which is lower than Canada’s 73.7.
- The top 10 safest cities to live in Ontario are Toronto, Barrie, Guelph, Ottawa, St. Catharines, Kitchener, Hamilton, Oshawa, Peterborough, and Sudbury.
- Barrie has consistently been ranked as the city with the lowest crime rate in Ontario.
Are you planning to move to Ontario? This famous province offers a diverse population and culture that welcomes people from everywhere.
Ontario is among the safest metropolitans, making it an excellent choice if you want a life free from fear and social isolation.
Read on and learn about affordable places to live in Ontario that offer a high quality of life while providing the security and safety residents need.
Safest Cities in Ontario
Below are some of the safest cities in Ontario based on the crime severity index (CSI), cost of living, and quality of life index.
Ontario is one of the safest cities in Canada, with a CSI of 56.21 in 2021. In comparison, Canada’s CSI average is significantly higher at 73.7.
The CSI monitors the level of severity of crimes reported to the police. It is calculated based on the amount and seriousness of the offences reported to authorities.
The index uses the 2006 national rate as a baseline of 100. A low CSI rate indicates a relatively safe community.
Using this data, we enumerate ten of the safest cities in Ontario, also considering the cost of living and quality of life.
For the cost of living index, the lower the amount is, the better. As for the quality of life index, the higher the figure, the better.
1. Sudbury
- CSI: 48.8
- Population: 92,093
- Quality of Life Index: 141.60
- Living costs: 2,050C$ for a single person; 5,190C$ for a family of four
Sudbury is a small city in Northern Ontario located 390 km north of Toronto and 483 km west of Ottawa. It is known for its large mining industry as well as for being a hub for tourism, education, financial services, and government.
The city had an overall crime severity index of 48.8, far lower than Canada’s average of 73.7. Sudbury’s CSI figures for violent and non-violent crimes were 54.7 and 46.5, respectively.
2. Ottawa
- CSI: 50.2
- Population: 1,017,449
- Quality of Life Index: 162.31
- Living costs: 2,456C$ for a single person; 5,415C$ for a family of four
Ottawa is among the best places to live in Canada due to its diverse and multicultural population. One of the cleanest cities in the country, it is also known for being family-oriented, making it one of the best places to live in Ontario for families.
Overall, Ottawa is considered a safe city, with its CSI lower than other metropolitan cities. Among the six largest cities, Ottawa has the lowest violent crime rate.
3. Toronto
- CSI: 56.7
- Population: 2,794,396
- Quality of Life Index: 146.58
- Living costs: 3,079C$ for a single person; 6,905C$ for a family of four
Toronto is consistently ranked as one of the most livable cities in the world and among the best places to live in Ontario for young adults. The largest city in Canada, it offers a multicultural experience and is the center of many of the country’s industries.
Toronto has a safety index of 57.22 (moderate). While it is among the most diverse and cosmopolitan cities, it is the least dangerous city in Canada and among the safest in the world.
See the best things to do in Toronto during the weekend.
4. Barrie
- CCSI: 57.5
- Population: 154,676
- Quality of Life Index: 166.91
- Living costs: 1,876C$ for a single person; 4,525C$ for a family of four
Barrie is a thriving urban community at the centre of southwestern Ontario with heritage neighbours, areas with new development, a good transit network, and plenty of attractions to explore. It is also popular for being one of the safest cities in Ontario.
In terms of safety and security, it consistently ranks at the top due to its low crime rate and for having the lowest crime severity index in the country.
5. Guelph
- CSI: 58.2
- Population: 144,356
- Quality of Life Index: 177.69
- Living costs: 2,391C$ for a single person; 5,209C$ for a family of four
Guelph is an Ontarian city with a small-town feel and a rapidly growing population. One of the most affordable places to live in Ontario, Guelph is a good location with robust business opportunities and a high employment rate.
Ranked third in the list of safest Canadian metropolitan areas, Guelph is recognized for having a low crime rate, with its high safety index of 69.57 and a low crime index of 30.43.
6. St. Catharines
- CSI: 62.1
- Population: 140,370
- Quality of Life Index: 176.12
- Living costs: $2,328 for a single person; $5,066 for a family of four
St. Catharines, also known as The Garden City due to its lush greenery, offers a high quality of life and vibrant development opportunities with an influx of financial activities and a thriving multicultural community.
With its moderate safety index, Catharines-Niagara is recognized as one of Canada’s safest cities due to its low violent crime rate, which is 24% lower than the national average.
7. Kitchener
- CSI: 79.4
- Population: 522,888
- Quality of Life Index: 168.83
- Living costs: C$2,525 for a single person; C$5,794 for a family of four
Kitchener is a city in the Waterloo Municipality in southwestern Ontario, west of Toronto. A popular alternative to living in Toronto, it combines small-town living with the perks of a big city.
As for safety, the Waterloo region (Kitchener-Waterloo-Cambridge) has been ranked tenth in the top ten list of the safest Canadian metropolitan areas. In Doon South, Kitchener, the total crime rate is 60% lower than the national average.
8. Hamilton
- CSI: 67.4
- Population: 124,579
- Quality of Life Index: 139.21
- Living costs: $2,525 for a single person; $5,794 for a family of four
The city of Hamilton in southern Ontario is among the more affordable places to live in Ontario. It is ideal for anyone looking for urban amenities and a bustling downtown but wants to enjoy natural beauty in an affordable location.
With a CSI well below the national average, Hamilton is a generally safe city with a crime rate lower than other Canadian cities of similar size.
9. Oshawa
- CSI: 42.5 (for the entire Durham Region (Oshawa/Whitby/Ajax))
- Population: 175,383
- Quality of Life Index: 149.54
- Living costs: 2,083C$ for one person; 4,094C$ for a family of four
Only 60 km from downtown Toronto, Oshawa is the ideal combination of natural environment and metropolitan living. Its proximity to the Greater Toronto Area makes it widely regarded as a bedroom community for commuters and rapidly developing into an industrial hub.
With a CSI way below the national average, Oshawa is among the safest cities in Ontario. Its total crime rate is 46% below the national average.
10. Peterborough
- CSI: 77.2
- Population: 84,793
- Quality of Life Index: No available data
- Living costs: 2,357C$ for a single person; 5,102C$ for a family of four
Peterborough is a little city in Southeastern Ontario offering rural, urban, and lakeside livelihood. While it is considered Ontario’s primary recreational area with a lively downtown, it also offers a quiet and relaxing way of life due to the generally peaceful neighbourhood.
The level of crime in Peterborough is moderate at 54.65, while its crime severity index in 2021 is below the national average of 73.7.
What Are the Most Unsafe Cities in Ontario?
The following are four of the most unsafe cities in Ontario based on CSI and level of crime. Although the cities are ranked as unsafe, only certain neighbourhoods are classified as dangerous and have higher crime rates than others.
1. Thunder Bay
- CSI: 104.8
- Population: 95,266
- Living costs: 2,134C$ for one person; 4,407C$
Thunder Bay is a city in the Thunder Bay district in west central Ontario in the northwest part of the province. It is ideal for adventure seekers while offering professional development and opportunities.
While it is a welcoming place for visitors, its CSI of 104.8 in 2021 makes it one of the most unsafe cities in the province. Some of the most dangerous neighbourhoods in Thunder Bay are Downtown Fort William, Simpson-Ogden and Westfort Village.
2. Windsor
- CSI: 94.9
- Population: 306,519
- Quality of Life Index: 156.24
- Living costs: 2,316C$ for one person; 5,000C$ for a family of four
Located on the Detroit River, Windsor is famous for being situated directly across Detroit, Michigan. It is also sometimes called the “automotive capital of Canada” since it is a major transportation and trade hub in southwestern Ontario.
Its CSI of 94.9, however, makes it rank among the most unsafe metropolitan areas in Ontario. As with other areas, certain neighbourhoods have higher crime rates than others, including Meadowbrook, Ford City, West Windsor, and Sandwich Towne.
3. Sault Ste. Marie
- CSI: 130.8
- Population: 64,923
- Quality of Life Index: 153.11
- Living costs: 2,094C$ for one person; 4,684 for a family of four
Sault Ste. Marie is a crucial destination whether for travel or business. Tagged as the “Friendliest City in Algoma,” it offers beautiful scenery, a strong economy, tons of tourist spots and leisure activities, and good infrastructure.
As for safety, the city’s CSI is very high at 130.8, and its violent and non-violent crimes are at 143.2 and 126.1, respectively. Its crime rate is also 44% higher than the national average. Canal District, Downtown Sault Ste. Marie and Bayview are among its most dangerous neighbourhoods.
4. North Bay
- CSI: 112.5
- Population: 51,433
- Quality of Life Index: Data not available
- Living costs: 2,059C$ for one person; 5,198C$ for a family of four
Located in northeastern Ontario, the city of North Bay boasts natural wonders and a strong sense of community ideal for anyone looking for small-town living. A relatively small city, it offers affordable housing and a stable job market.
In terms of safety, the CSI for North Bay was listed at 112.5, much higher than the national average, with violent crime CSI at 152.1 and non-violent crime at 97.9. The most dangerous neighbourhoods in the city include Downtown North Bay, Gateway, and Thibeault Terrace.
FAQs
Barrie has the lowest crime rate in Ontario and has an overall safety index of 7.13, according to a new report by rental website Rentola.ca, which cited the city’s remarkably high crime detection rate as instrumental in its top ranking. Statistics Canada has also consistently ranked Barrie among the safest cities in Ontario with the lowest crime severity index.
The city of Timmins in Ontario has the highest crime rate, with a CSI of 159.9 in 2021, violent crime at 229.6, and non-violent crime at 134.5. Its total crime rate is 96% higher than the national average. The level of crime is also very high at 83.05.
In the Nipissing District, where North Bay is located, with a population of 83,000 people, almost 6,700 (8%) are on Ontario Works. The figure is nearly double the provincial average of 4.4%. The average person on social assistance earns around $11,400 a year. Nipissing is also among the areas with the highest prevalence of low-income households.
The wealthiest people in Canada live in Sunnybrook, Toronto, according to data from Canadian Business magazine. The average household net worth in the area is $22,709,428. The other areas in Ontario where millionaires live are York Mills-Windfields, Bridle Path, Forest Hill North, and Forest Hill South & UCC.
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