Is Toronto safe?

Is Toronto safe in 2024? (From a Local)

Wondering if Toronto is safe? You’re in the right place.

Toronto is generally a safe city, but it is also the largest city in Canada. There are currently over 6 million people in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), all from a variety of backgrounds and walks of life. Although its one of the safest cities in North America, Toronto’s crime rate has increased in recent years.

Toronto has different kinds of housing and neighbourhoods that vary in style, and character. Toronto is an interesting and fun place to visit and live, but precautions should be taken.

Toronto

Generally, if you are sticking to the touristy areas, you should be safe. My 2-3 day Toronto itinerary will guide you on how to move through the city as a tourist, while seeing the best of what it has to offer.

If you want a more in-depth analysis on the safety of Toronto, then scroll down for more info.

As someone who was born in Toronto, lives nearby and visits frequently, I can give you an honest rundown of safety in Toronto, how its changed over the years, and what you should be aware of if you’re planning on visiting or living in Toronto.

So, let’s jump in – what you need to know about safety in Toronto.

Is Toronto Safe?

The short answer is that yes, Toronto is a safe place. Its one of the best places to live in Ontario, according to many sources, and its also statistically one of the safest cities in North America.

In fact, Toronto was declared the second safest city in the world (second to Copenhagen) by the Economist Safety Index in 2021. 

Downtown Toronto

Does Toronto have gun violence, gangs, theft and drugs? Yes it does. Statistics also show that some of these crimes are on the increase too, so there are a few things to keep in mind about visiting Toronto which we’ll get into below.

Ultimately, if you’re comparing Toronto to the United States, you will find Toronto to feel safer than most U.S. cities. According to 2023 crime statistics analyzed by the Crime Index, the only U.S. cities that are safer than Toronto are Salt Lake City, Boise, Boston and San Diego.

The majority of other U.S. cities have much higher crime rates than Toronto, including New York City, Honolulu, Hawaii and a long list of others. See the complete list and safety rankings for North American cities here.

Toronto skyline

It’s worth it to know that if you’re staying in Toronto as a tourist or short-term resident, you’ll likely be in the downtown area where crime is pretty rare. If you’re sticking to touristy areas and taking basic precautions, then you’re unlikely to run into any issues with crime in Toronto.

Personally, I’ve never encountered any serious crimes in Toronto, nor have I felt unsafe. But, there’s no harm in being aware and stay up to date on safety statistics.

Let’s go over the types of crimes that tend to happen in Toronto, and which neighbourhoods you should avoid, and other things you should know about staying safe in Toronto.

Crime Rate in Toronto

Despite being the largest city in Canada, Toronto is statistically safer than other, much smaller cities in Canada. Although Toronto is not the safest city in Canada, it has a lower crime rate than other major Canadian cities like Vancouver and Edmonton.

The crime rate in Toronto is actually even lower than some smaller Ontario cities and towns such as Thunder Bay and Timmins. This is actually pretty remarkable.

Toronto

However, the crime rates in a city is subject to change with time. Toronto’s crime rate has unfortunately, been on the increase for several years.

There has been a 20% increase in crime in Toronto between 2022 and 2023. There are a number of factors playing in to this, and many cities around the world are experiencing similar things. Toronto is no different.

The key things to keep in mind are which crimes you’re most likely to encounter (if any,) and which precautions you should take to stay safe in Toronto.

Most Common Types of Crime in Toronto

The Toronto Police Services has provided a year end map showing the different crimes that occurred in different areas of the city. According to their map and statistics, assault was the most common type of crime in Toronto in 2023, followed by car theft.

Generally, as a visitor or residents, the crime you’re most likely to be personally affected by is car theft. (Although, its still very unlikely.)

Let’s go through the statistically most statistically common types of crime in Toronto according the police records, what you need to know, and how to take preventative measures.

Toronto

1. Assaults in Toronto

The most common type of crime is by far, assault, and assault is up 10% in Toronto. However, assault is a hard thing to analyze because under Canadian law, many things constitute as assault.

Now, before you get worried about a random person being violent towards you as you’re walking down the street in Toronto, lets talk about what “assault” means under Canadian law. Assault in Canada is “any physical contact or action that causes someone to react defensively without any actual physical contact.”

So not all assaults involve physical contact- just scaring someone could lead to an assault charge as well.

If you consider how large Toronto is, even with the increase, incidents of assault are still very rare and many of them are domestic or between people who know each other.

So, overall – as a tourist, I don’t think you need to be too alarmed by these statistics.

Toronto

2. Car theft in Toronto

Car theft is on the rise in Toronto, and in the areas surrounding it. Even where I live, near Barrie, which is 2 hours north of Toronto, incidents of car theft have skyrocketed in recent years.

Certain types of cars (typically, expensive ones) are targeted more than others. It was reported in the news that the 2020 Honda CR-V was the most common car stolen last year in Canada.

Good to Know: Don’t leave any valuables in your car, and if you do, make sure they’re not visible from the outside. Always lock your car.

How safe is the TTC in Toronto?

The TTC (Toronto Transit Commission) includes streetcars, subway system and buses. It has been reported that violence against TTC customers and staff have increased in recent years.

Crime on Toronto transit was up 46% between 2021 to 2022, and according to a news report, the trend continued during 2023.

Does that mean the TTC is dangerous and you shouldn’t ride it? I wouldn’t say that. I ride the TTC quite often, including with my kids, and haven’t encountered anything like that. However, its a good thing to keep in mind.

Subway in Toronto

My Experience with the TTC in Toronto

One thing I have noticed during our recent visits to Toronto is there are sometimes interruptions to the TTC (Toronto Transit Commission) services. Often when we ride the subway, there is an announcement saying that service on one of the lines is interrupted due to a “security incident” at one of the other stations or on a train.

When this happens, it may or may not have any affect you. If it does affect one of your stops or your train, then you may need to evacuate the train and wait.

This can delay your plans by a little bit (15-20 minutes), although isn’t super convenient if you were in a hurry.

safety on the TTC in Toronto

My advice would be to give yourself extra time if you’re taking the TTC, to account for the interruptions of any security incidents. They’ve been happening more often from my experience, so its good to be aware of the possibility that your trip could face delays.

What the TTC is doing to make Toronto transit more safe

The Toronto Transit Commission has now developed a tool that tracks security incidents on the TTC. This tool is transparant about any incidents that occur on the TTC.

According to these statistics, there are typically 700-900 calls for service per month with people reporting safety concerns. These calls are about any safety concerns such as a disturbances, emergency alarms going off, harassment, someone intoxicated, mischief or someone in crisis.

In addition to that, 150 calls were made to the police about incidents that occurred on the TTC.

Union Station in Toronto
Union Station in Toronto

This works out to be 29 security incidents per day at the most, which is not uncommon but you’re also statistically very unlikely to encounter any of them. Toronto’s transit is large, and includes the subway, busses and streetcars so it would be unlikely that you’re there during one of those 20-29 incidents that will occur in any given day.

It is good to know that the TTC is known to deal with any incidents or complaints promptly, and takes measures to ensure everyone’s safety. You can read more about it on their TTC safety guide.

What to Do if you Feel Unsafe on Toronto Transit

The TTC now offers wifi, which makes it easier to alert someone if you’re in trouble or concerned.

Any emergency situations ( which would be unlikely) can be dealt with by calling 911. For something concerning, but not an emergency, call the TTC. There are numbers posted inside vehicles.

If you want to be extra safe before using the TTC, you can also check the TTC website in advance to see if there are any current security incidents.

Is Toronto Safe for Women?

I believe one of the true measures of how safe a city is, is if its a safe place for women. Generally, Toronto is a safe place for anyone, regardless of gender.

Sadly, there have been some cases of gender-based violence in the city, specifically, on the TTC. Some surveys done found that 80% of people who ride the TTC have experienced harassment.

is toronto safe for women?

As a woman who spent lots of time in Toronto, I don’t feel unsafe travelling there. I have learned to ignore, walk with a purpose, and be aware of my surroundings. I would recommend this to any traveller (female or otherwise) spending time in a major city.

While I haven’t personally encountered any problems with feeling unsafe in Toronto, its wrong to downplay or deny that incidents can happen, to women (especially from marginalized communities).

I think its definitely worth it to take precautions to keep yourself safe in Toronto, especially as a woman. Some of my favourite areas in Toronto (where I’ve never personally felt unsafe) are: the Kensington Market, the Entertainment District, the Business District and Old Town.

Kensington Market in Toronto

Is Toronto Safe For Families?

I lived in Toronto as a child, and now am a mom who visits there frequently with my two children. Toronto is a very kid-friendly city, with a lot of things to do for families. And yes, I would say that Toronto is generally safe for children and families.

Even as a single parent, I never personally encountered any issues in Toronto.

Dundas Square Toronto

If you’re visiting Toronto with kids, I would take the same precautions that anyone else would. Visit the tourist attractions, walk through China Town, the lake shore, and Old Toronto. There are many family-friendly restaurants in the downtown area, and things to do with kids.

If you’re visiting Toronto with a baby or toddler, you’ll be happy to know that many of the streets in Toronto are very walkable, stroller friendly and accessible.

I ride the TTC often, by myself and with children – we’ve ridden it late at night, and even during rush hour and I’ve never personally encountered any serious problem.

Sometimes my older daughter has felt uncomfortable about certain people that she’s seen on the TTC, but this has lead to family conversations where we educated her on showing compassion while also keeping herself safe.

OCAD Toronto

Is Toronto Safe for Students?

Toronto is definitely a student city. There are six different universities in Toronto, and four different collages. I know many people who have gotten post-secondary degrees in Toronto.

I didn’t go to university in Toronto, but I worked there over two summers as a co-op student at Service Canada and Canada Border Services.

Toronto isn’t known or have any bad reputation for being ‘unsafe’ for students. Its a great student town in a lot of ways. As a student, you should just keep in mind what safety precautions should be taken in Toronto.

One thing to consider is that as a student, you might be more likely to own a bike as opposed to a car. Both car thefts and bike thefts have been on the rise in Toronto, so I would recommend keeping a lock on yours on your bike.

Is toronto safe?

Gun Violence in Toronto

Gun violence is the scariest type of crime to come across anywhere because of the amount of damage it can do in the blink of an eye. It’s worth it to know that carrying a handgun is illegal in Canada. There are guns in Canada, but the laws are much stricter than in the U.S.

Gun violence in Toronto isn’t non-existent, but unlike other types of crimes, gun-related crimes are actually decreasing in Toronto.

By the end of 2023, there had been a total of 326 shootings in Toronto, with153 people killed or injured from them. This might sound like a lot, but its actually a 30% decrease from five years ago in 2019 when there was 469 shootings and over 200 people injured or killed in Toronto from guns.

The Canadian Broadcasting Company (CBC) reports on Toronto’s decrease in gun violence – hopefully, for everyone’s safety, this is a trend that will continue!

Good to Know: Toronto Police Service and the Ontario Provincial Police (O.P.P.). In an emergency situation, you can call 9-1-1. If you have a non emergency concern then you can contact the Toronto police at

Most ‘Dangerous’ Areas in Toronto

Toronto has a mix of neighbourhoods with their own distinct character, (which is part of what I love about it!) but it also means that some areas have become more safe while others have become less safe.

There has been some gentrification in Toronto in recent years, which has resulted in pockets that are now much safer and free of the gang activity that they once had, due to the area becoming much more expensive and accessible only to those who have the money to afford them.

Queens park Toronto

Having said that, here are some places that Toronto that are not recommended to tourists.

Jane and Finch was notorious for crime when I was growing up, and it still is. This is in the north part of the city and isn’t an area you’re likely to frequent as a tourist, so I don’t believe you need to worry about it.

 Sherborne Between King and Bloore is also known for some crime activity and is considered ‘sketchy’ by locals, and by people who aren’t used to Toronto.

Moss Park on Jarvis is a place that I’d recommend avoiding at night, especially if you’re walking around alone. Generwally, you shoudn’t walk through any Toronto parks at night, but Moss Park is known for criminal activity.

Furthermore, other streets connected to Jarvis like Gerrard and Queen’s Park are also known for being ‘shady.’

Moss Park and Queens Park places places above are very close to tourist attractions though, so you’re likely to come pretty close to them. I have never personally felt unsafe in this areas, but it might make you feel uneasy if you haven’t been in Toronto for very long.

If you walk through these area, just make sure to pay attention to your surroundings like you would anywhere else.

downtown Toronto

For a more definite information on which types of crimes occur and where in Toronto they happen, its best to look at the crime map that the Toronto Police and TTC made.

If you click on each neighbourhood, it can tell you how many crimes have been recorded in each area, and you can also see if the crime is on the increase or decrease.

This might help give you a good idea of where to live or spend your time in Toronto.

What area of Toronto is safest?

Here are some of the areas of Toronto where you’re unlikely to encounter crime . This doesn’t mean that crime never happens in this areas (it has likely happened in every pocket of the city) but its rare to encounter crime in this places.

The Business District

The Business district has a very low crime rate, and its also one of the most popular places for tourists to visit.

Its a big, wide open area where you find the attractions like the CN Tower, Ripley’s Aquarium. and lots of nice hotels, and Union Station.

downtown Toronto

There are lots of places to get great Canadian souvenirs in this area, and enjoy the tourist experience.

Even as a Toronto born, I love walking through here, especially on a sunny day.

Tourist Attractions in Old Toronto

Old Toronto is within walking distance to the business district, and is also very touristy. This is where you’ll find places like the St. Lawrence Market, Nathan Phillip’s Square, the Flatiron Building, and the Hockey Hall of Fame.

These are my favourite places to go, and in my opinion – a big part of what makes Toronto worth a visit.

downtown Toronto

I have walked through these areas alone during the day, and with children, and it was a pleasant experience with none of us ever having felt unsafe.

China Town and the Kensington Market

China Town and the Kensington Market are bustling areas with lots of people during the day. There are lots of markets, hole in the wall restaurants and stores selling trinkets.

There’s great food; restaurants, bakeries and cafés. and its close to the Art Gallery as well.

Kensington Market in Toronto

Chinatown and the Kensington Market are some of my favourite areas of Toronto, and I’ve never felt unsafe walking around, even on my own.

The Toronto Islands

If you look at the crime map, very few crimes occur on the Toronto Islands. They’re a nice place to visit for a day, in the summer for the beaches, amusement park or picnic or in the winter for snowshoeing.

Toronto island

Plus, you get a view of the Toronto skyline from Centre Island.

Are there pick pockets in Toronto?

Yes, there are pick pockets in Toronto, much like any major city. Toronto isn’t known for pock pockets like Paris or Barcelona is for example, but incidents do occur.

In 2022, there were two suspects that targeted travellers in Toronto over several moths. According to the report, multiple wallets and cellphones were stolen from people who were dancing and socializing, mostly in the Entertainment district.

I am not sure if these suspects were ever caught (it was never reported, or I can’t find the information,) but its good to be aware that while it isn’t super common in Toronto, it can happen. So don’t leave your valuables unattended, and stay aware of your surroundings.

walking around Toronto

Is the Entertainment District in Toronto safe?

The Entertainment District in Toronto is known for being the nightlife hotspot in Toronto. It is concentrated around King Street West, mostly between University and Spadina avenue.

There are bars, restaurants nightclubs and movie theatres in the area, and recently, there has been a development of condominiums. In the summertime, many of the restaurants set up outdoor patios. The area is bustling and busy, especially on a Friday or Saturday night.

The Entertainment District doesn’t have a reputation for being particularly unsafe. There have been the odd reports of attacks or incidents over the years, but

Toronto Skyline

Food and Water Safety in Toronto

Safety comes down to more than just crime and violence – can you trust tap water or the food served in restaurants in Toronto?

Are eating establishments in Toronto is safe to eat at?

You can rest assured that food establishments in Toronto are safe to eat at. Food establishments in Canada to to adhere to strict requirements in order to remain open, and they are subject to regular inspections.

Toronto Public Health has its own DineSafe program which ensures the food safety of eating establishments in the city. So, if you’re thinking of eating at an establishment in Toronto (especially if its been open for more than a few years) then you can feel pretty confident that it is safe.

I personally love the food scene in Toronto; I love to try a variety of cuisines, and have never gotten sick.

Can I drink tap water in Toronto?

Yes, Toronto’s tap water is safe to drink. Soda streams and water filters have become very popular in Canada in recent years, but the tap water (in most places) is perfectly fine to drink and considered safe by government authorities.

I was born and have grown up near Toronto and have never had any problems from drinking the tap water.

Are there any wild animals in Toronto?

Toronto has lots of wildlife, but most of them are smaller animals. You will mainly see squirrels, rabbits, birds, chipmunks and maybe racoons. And definitely some Canadian geese. If you go to High Park, you can see a lot of ducks.

None of the animals above are known to be dangerous, but you should keep your distance from Canadian geese, especially ones that appear to be in distress. Canadian geese can get defensive and attack. Being bit by a Canada goose isn’t fatal, but it can hurt a little bit. I’ve never been bitten by them, but I read that it feels like being pinched!

wildlife in Ontario

The animals which are found to be the most likely to attack humans in Ontario are black bear, the massasaga snake, and the snapping turtle (pictured above.)

While not likely to cause fatal attacks, you should also be weary of skunks if you see them in the city. Be sure to follow the City of Toronto’s recommendations for wildlife if you encounter any of these animals, or come across a sick animal.

While Canada in general is known for some dangerous wildlife, Ontario (especially Toronto, since its a major city area) is not a province that you’re likely to encounter any wildlife attacks from.

You’re not likely to see dangerous animals such as black bears, snapping turtles or the massasaga snake in Toronto. You’d be more likely to encounter these animals north of the city, in protected natural habitats like Algonquin Park.

Occasionally, we hear stories of a bear wandering into the parameters of the city. A few years ago, a black bear was spotted in Markham (a city just north of Toronto) but this is extremely rare!

extreme weather in Toronto

Does Toronto get extreme weather?

The weather in Toronto is more mild than other cities such as Montreal, Edmonton or Winnipeg.

Toronto can get surprisingly hot in the summer, and there are often heat warnings. During heat warnings, you should stay hydrated, and especially in the shade as much as possible if you’re outside. (This isn’t too difficult in the downtown area, because of the large skyscrapers which provide lots of shade.)

At any time in the summer, you shouldn’t leave pets or children unattended in parked cars. There have been many sad incidents in Ontario in recent years.Even with the windows down, parked cars are not safe during Toronto summers because of how hot it gets.

Extreme Winter Weather in Toronto

It is possible for Toronto to get snowstorms. Depending on the weather, school vehicles may be cancelled. The City of Toronto is responsible for clearing the streets. However, even if the streets are being cleared, I wouldn’t recommend driving during snowfall unless you absolutely need to.

Toronto in winter

In general, Toronto is a good place to visit in winter in Ontario – especially during the holiday season with the festivities. In recent years, there hasn’t been a lot of snow during November and December in Toronto. It does snow in Toronto, but most of it comes in January or February.

My Recent Experiences in Toronto

I travel to Toronto often – usually several times in the winter for the Christmas attractions, and in the summer to see concerts at the Budweiser Stage.

I sometimes go wit my husband to Toronto for date nights and days, or with our kids to see things like the Science Centre, or other attractions. I’ve also been going to Toronto more often on my own lately, because of this blog.

Toronto

I’ve never personally been threatened, or mugged in Toronto or felt unsafe. I generally find Toronto to be a safe city that when precautions are taken, you’re unlikely to encounter any problems.

Using Public Washrooms in Toronto

I’ve noticed as well that there are a lot of restaurants that keep their bathrooms locked, presumably because of squatters and drug problems.

A few weeks ago, I tried to use a fast food joint’s bathroom with my toddler who had to pee, and was told that restaurants were only for paid customers. This was in north Toronto. It seemed unusual to me, but I believed the restaurant was only protecting themseles.

However, I found out later that the City of Toronto requires all restaurant washrooms to be available to the public. So, this is good to know, in case you find yourself in a predicament as I did.

The City of Toronto has other safety requirements of Toronto restaurant bathrooms, which you can read here.

Toronto

Safety Tips for Toronto

Here are some ways to make sure you’re exercising safety in Toronto and taking all the precautions.

Be aware of your surroundings

Keep your head up and looking forward when walking around outside (instead of looking down at your phone, for example.) This can prevent all kinds of accidents and incidents.

Stick to well-lit areas (especially at night)

I would recommend avoiding walking through poorly lit parks and streets at night, especially city parks.

Lock your car and/or bike

Because of the rise in bike and car theft, its wise to make sure your bike and/or car are locked up. In your car, make sure that any valuables are hidden out of sight.

Keep your house or apartment locked

Toronto’s a relatively safe city, but not so safe that I wouldn’t keep my front door locked. Break and entry can happen in Toronto, an

# 1 Rule of Thumb for Safety in Toronto: To stay safe in Toronto, stick to the busy, touristy areas, such as the ones mentioned above. Keep your eye on valuables and be aware of your surroundings.

Safest Cities in Canada

According to the latest 2023 Crime Severity Index mentioned above, Quebec City is the safest city in Canada (which wouldn’t surprise me, having visited there.) Quebec City is much, much smaller than Toronto though, so that isn’t surprising.

Which Canadian cities are safer Toronto on the safety scale? Ottawa is statistically safer than Toronto in many respects (but not all), as well as Montreal.

Oakville and Markham, while not in Toronto, are apart of the ‘Greater Toronto Area’ and both of them are considered very safe, and have a lower crime rate than the downtown area. Generally speaking, most small towns in Ontario have very low crime rates.

Is Toronto safe?

Toronto Safety FAQs

Here are the most commonly asked questions about safety and dangers in Toronto and how to plan and prepare accordingly

Is it safe to walk in Toronto at night?

It is safe to walk around most areas of Toronto at night. If you’re sticking to busy streets in business district, the entertainment district, or the old part of town, then your chance of encountering a crime is low. I wouldn’t recommend walking through parks at night alone. Take precautions such as not wearing headphones at night, and being aware of your surroundings to avoid pickpockets.

What is the safest city in Canada?

According to the most recent statistics analyzed by the Crime Safety Index as of 2023, Quebec City is the safest city in Canada. However, only 600,000 people live in Quebec City, which is X of the population of some of the major cities.

Is Toronto a good safe place to live?

Toronto is a great place to live in a lot of ways. Toronto is generally safe, with a lot of diversity and fun things to do. The biggest downside to Toronto is the cost of living – inflation has made the downtown core unaffordable for most people.

Winter in Toronto

Conclusion: Is Toronto Safe?

So, is Toronto safe? Even with the recent increase in crime over the past few years, I would say that Toronto is a safe city. For a city of its sized (6 million people) your chances of encountering crime are pretty low, especially if you’re sticking to the touristy areas. Even the worst of Toronto is still considered ‘safe’ compared to most major US cities.

As someone who has lived in Toronto for years, and be I’ve never felt unsafe. This experience can vary from person to person of course. It helps to take precautions such as not wearing headphones at night, and being aware of your surroundings. Lock your door, your vehicles and bikes, and keep valuables secured.

I hope that this has helped settle your mind about safety in Toronto. If you ever encounter a situation that isn’t safe or have a concern, you can contact the Toronto Police at their non-emergency line at 416-808-2222. I wish you a happy and safe time in Toronto!