Top 5 Safest neighborhoods to live in Toronto with the Best quality of life – 2024

Choosing to live in Toronto means immersing yourself in a culturally rich city with a friendly community, surrounded by green spaces, parks, and recreational options. Despite its status as one of Canada’s pricier cities, a good option is living in the suburbs of Toronto that are part of the GTA. These areas offer housing options near subway stations and a more budget-friendly choice for families seeking stability.

Looking for a suburb in the GTA where you can feel comfortable and safe, surrounded by convenient amenities? We got you covered! The 5 safest Toronto neighborhoods with the best quality of life in 2024 are listed below!

Methodology

Our safety ranking methodology is based on a careful analysis of the total number of crimes, which is derived from Toronto Police data recorded between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2022. The crime rate is calculated per 1,000 people. The crime categories are assault, break and enter, auto theft, robbery, and theft over.

The “Best quality of life” aspect is measured based on feedback from real people who have moved to this area in our database or real people from trusted online forums. More specifically, we look for positive feedback on job opportunities, quality of education, quality of healthcare, feeling of safety, public transportation, environment (cleanliness), as well as availability of recreational facilities and parks.

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1. High Park - Swansea

High Park - Swansea
  • Population: 23,925
  • Crime Rate: 3.38 crimes per 1,000 people

In Old Toronto’s western part, Swansea, next to High Park, offers an ideal setting with numerous parks for outdoor activities, a zoo, and playgrounds. Residents enjoy waterfront views of Lake Ontario and access to beaches like Sunnyside Beach. Conveniently located near grocery stores, restaurants, and schools like the Swansea Junior and Senior Public School. Swansea features mostly single-detached houses, apartments, and condominiums, with a community primarily aged 35 to 64.

Swansea is not only a quiet neighborhood but also a safe one, with one of the lowest crime rates on this list. With a crime rate of 3.38 crimes per 1,000 people, indicating a strong sense of safety within the community.

Toronto Police – MCI (Dec 2022),  Local Logic (Nov 2023), & High Park-Swansea (Dec 2016)

High Park - Swansea, Ontario

2. Steeles

Apartments in Steeles
  • Population: 24,623
  • Crime Rate: 5.27 crimes per 1,000 people

Steeles, a small suburban neighborhood in Toronto’s northeastern Scarborough, offers a serene environment ideal for families. It features big parks like L’Amoreaux North, Terry Fox, and Fundy Bay, providing soccer and tennis fields along with playgrounds. Additionally, Steeles is conveniently close to public schools such as Sir Ernest MacMillan Senior Public School and Terry Fox Public School.

Most of the housing in Steeles consists of single-family homes and townhouses on tree-lined streets, making the neighborhood walkable with nearby grocery stores and restaurants.

Steeles has a reported crime rate of 5.27 crimes per 1,000 people, offering a secure environment for its residents.

Toronto Police – Major Crime Indicators (Dec 2022),  Local Logic (Nov 2023), & Steeles (Dec 2016)

Steeles, Ontario

3. Whitby

  • Population: 138,501
  • Crime Rate: 5.95 crimes per 1,000 people

Whitby, east of the GTA in Durham Region, is an affordable choice with lower home prices and rental costs compared to the city of Toronto or nearby GTA townships. It offers tranquility, parks, and trails, along with relaxation opportunities along Lake Ontario.

Consider the distance to Downtown Toronto, GO Transit provides both bus and train services from Whitby. The 52-minute bus journey to Union Station costs $9 to $13. Safety is ensured with a low crime rate of 5.95 crimes per 1,000 people.

Toronto Police – Major Crime Indicators (Dec 2022), Town of Whitby (Dec 2020) & Statistics Canada (Dec 2021)

Whitby, Ontario

4. Humber Heights - Westmount

Apartments in Humber Heights - Westmount
  • Population: 10,938
  • Crime Rate: 7.40 crimes per 1,000 people

In northeastern Etobicoke, Humber Heights or Humbervale, is a serene neighborhood surrounded by parks like Cruickshank, Weston Lions, and Raymore, along the Humber River and near Emmett Waterfall. This area, predominantly composed of single-family homes, provides diverse housing options, including apartments and detached houses, at more affordable prices compared to downtown Toronto.

Residents benefit from easy transit, with Weston Train Station providing a short commute to Toronto’s Financial District. A 50-minute drive via Gardiner Expressway W takes you to Old Toronto, and there’s convenient access to Highway 401 Express for GTA commuters.

In terms of safety, the neighborhood boasts a reported crime rate of 7.40 crimes per 1,000 people, providing residents with a sense of security.

Toronto Police – Major Crime Indicators (Dec 2022), Local Logic (Nov 2023), & Humber Heights (Dec 2016)

Humber Heights - Westmount, Ontario

5. Yonge & St. Clair

Apartments in Yonge & St. Clair
  • Population: 14,659
  • Crime Rate: 7.56 crimes per 1,000 people

Between Avenue Road and Yonge St., this neighborhood offers inviting green spaces like The Beltline Trail, perfect for outdoor enthusiasts. Main streets create a lively hub with offices, restaurants, shops, and cafés, providing diverse choices for shopping, dining, and entertainment.

In Yonge & St. Clair, peaceful residential streets feature trees and charming homes, offering a serene escape from city life. The neighborhood stands out for its beautiful green surroundings and low crime rate, with a mix of condos, apartments, and detached houses. Yonge & St. Clair has a reported crime rate of 7.56 crimes per 1,000 people, making it one of the safest places to live in Toronto.

Toronto Police – Major Crime Indicators (Dec 2022), Local Logic (Nov 2023), & Statistics Canada (Dec 2021)

Yonge & St. Clair, Ontario

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Conclusion

When choosing a new place to live, proximity to subway stations, parks, and prestigious schools nearby is key. However, safety always stands out as one of the most crucial considerations. Our updated list reflects this priority, explaining the significant changes from last year. Our methodology not only considers crime statistics based on Toronto Police data, but also incorporates valuable insights about living in these neighborhoods from residents in reputable forums.

Choosing the right neighborhood requires patience, so be sure to carefully review this list before making your final decision. Planning a move soon? Discover the best Toronto movers!

 

Last year’s ranking (2023)

  1. Humber Heights-Westmount
  2. Kingsway South
  3. Steeles
  4. Yonge-St. Clair
  5. Princess-Rosethorn
  6. Maple Leaf
  7. Agincourt North
  8. Edenbridge-Humber Valley

 

Our rankings are meticulously curated, considering affordability and quality of life. It’s important to highlight that certain places were excluded from last year’s lists due to insufficient rental data. Moreover, entries with higher average housing prices in the previous year were excluded from the current rankings. We encourage readers to weigh these rankings in light of their individual needs and preferences for a more informed decision-making process.

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Ann Nacario

The author

Meet Ann – our head writer with a knack for making moving and city living a breeze. From the many details of moving to picking the perfect moving company, she’s your guide. Ann has a friendly yet detailed approach to ensure your move goes off without a hitch. When she’s not writing about relocation, it will always be on her mind, but you’ll catch her spending time with her three furry friends.

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