Published 2 November 2026 · By Jatin Dua, Broker of Record, RE/MAX Quantum Realty
The safest cities in the GTA are Oakville, Burlington, Milton and Halton Hills, which share Halton Region’s 2025 Crime Severity Index of 30.6, followed by Caledon at 38.9. Toronto and Peel (Brampton and Mississauga) were both near 60, and Canada was 75.0, according to Statistics Canada.
This guide is for families and buyers who want to know which GTA cities have the lowest crime before they choose where to live in 2027. You get the five safest cities by Statistics Canada’s 2025 numbers, how Brampton, Mississauga, Toronto, York and Durham compare, and what a home costs in each of the five.
How did I rank the safest cities in the GTA?
I used one public, official measure: Statistics Canada’s Crime Severity Index (CSI). It counts police-reported crime per person and gives more weight to serious crimes. A break-in counts for more than a minor theft, and a robbery counts for more than a break-in. A lower number means less crime, and less serious crime, for the number of people who live there. The index was set at 100 for Canada in 2006.
The latest year is 2025. Statistics Canada released those numbers on 22 July 2026.
There is one big catch. The CSI is published by police service, not by city. Most of the GTA is covered by regional services:
- Halton Region police cover Oakville, Burlington, Milton and Halton Hills.
- Peel Region police cover Mississauga and Brampton.
- Caledon is policed by the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) under contract, so it gets its own number.
- York Region and Durham Region each have one regional service and one number.
- Toronto has its own service.
So every city inside a region shares that region’s score. The four Halton cities had the lowest score in the GTA in 2025, and Caledon had the next lowest. Those are my five. Inside Halton, all four share one number, so I list them by population, largest first. Statistics Canada itself warns that the CSI is not meant to be the only measure of safety, so treat this as a strong starting point, not the final word on a street.
What is the crime rate in each part of the GTA?
| Police service | Cities covered | CSI 2023 | CSI 2024 | CSI 2025 | Change 2024 to 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Halton Region | Oakville, Burlington, Milton, Halton Hills | 32.3 | 31.2 | 30.6 | -1.9% |
| Caledon (OPP) | Caledon | 41.5 | 37.3 | 38.9 | +4.4% |
| Durham Region | Oshawa, Whitby, Ajax and the rest of Durham | 47.0 | 47.2 | 43.2 | -8.5% |
| York Region | Markham, Vaughan, Richmond Hill and the rest of York | 54.6 | 53.6 | 50.3 | -6.1% |
| Peel Region | Mississauga, Brampton | 52.2 | 57.0 | 59.4 | +4.2% |
| Toronto | City of Toronto | 69.5 | 68.6 | 60.0 | -12.6% |
| Ontario | Whole province | 61.5 | 61.0 | 57.2 | -6.2% |
| Canada | Whole country | 81.3 | 78.8 | 75.0 | -4.9% |
Source: Statistics Canada, Table 35-10-0188-01 (police services in Ontario) and Table 35-10-0026-01 (Ontario and Canada), Crime Severity Index, 2023 to 2025. Lower is safer.
Two things stand out. First, every part of the GTA sits below the national average. Second, Halton’s score of 30.6 is about half of Toronto’s and Peel’s, which were almost tied at about 60 in 2025.
1. Oakville
Why it ranks: Oakville is in Halton, which had the lowest CSI of any police service in the GTA in 2025, at 30.6. Halton police say the region has had the lowest overall, violent and non-violent crime severity among Ontario’s 12 largest police services every year from 2008 to 2024. Its violent crime score in 2025 was 26.3, against 81.1 in Toronto.
What it’s like: the largest of the four Halton towns, with about 243,100 people in mid-2025, according to Statistics Canada estimates. It sits on Lake Ontario between Mississauga and Burlington.
Who it suits: families with a bigger budget who want low crime and are happy to pay for it.
What it costs: the median detached home sold for $1,625,000 from January to October 2026, down 3.0% from a year earlier. Freehold townhouses had a median of $1,005,000 and condo apartments $528,000. A detached home here often means 20% down, because insured mortgages stop at a $1.5 million purchase price. My guide to the best neighbourhoods in Oakville breaks the town into areas.
What to check: the regional score is an average. Ask about the street, not just the town.
2. Burlington
Why it ranks: Burlington shares Halton’s 2025 CSI of 30.6. Halton police also reported that overall crime per 100,000 residents fell 11.7% in the first half of 2025 compared with the same period of 2024, with auto thefts down 32% and break-ins down 26%.
What it’s like: about 197,700 people in mid-2025, and the slowest-growing of the Halton cities. Statistics Canada estimates its population rose only about 2% from 2021 to 2025.
Who it suits: buyers who want Halton’s low crime at a lower price than Oakville, and who value a steady market.
What it costs: Burlington’s detached median was $1,249,750 from January to October 2026, essentially flat against 2025. That was the steadiest result of any GTA city. Freehold townhouses had a median of $860,000 and condo apartments $529,950. For more on prices across Halton, see my Oakville, Burlington and Milton market outlook.
What to check: with prices holding firm, you will have less room to negotiate here than in most of the GTA.
Instant Home Valuation
What’s your home
worth today?
Answer six quick questions and get an instant value range built from current Toronto & GTA sale data — property type, size, condition, lot and location all weighted the way a real pricing conversation weighs them. Takes about ninety seconds.
Reading recent GTA sale data…
Building your estimate
Estimated market value
—
$0–$0
Most likely value $0 · roughly $0 per square foot
What moved the number
Starting from the area baseline for your property type, here’s what each answer added or subtracted.
Market context
Recent local averages for comparison.
—
A range is a starting point.
A strategy is what sells.
This model doesn’t know that your neighbour’s identical semi went $80,000 over asking last month, or which two upgrades actually pay back in your area. That conversation is free and takes twenty minutes.
3. Milton
Why it ranks: same Halton police service, same 2025 CSI of 30.6.
What it’s like: one of the fastest-growing towns in the GTA. Statistics Canada estimates Milton grew about 13% from 2021 to 2025, to about 157,300 people. Fast growth means many newer homes and young families.
Who it suits: first-time and move-up buyers who want a low-crime area at a lower price than Oakville or Burlington.
What it costs: the detached median was $1,130,000 from January to October 2026, down 6.6%. Freehold townhouses had a median of $810,000, among the lowest in Halton.
What to check: a town growing this fast is still building schools, roads and parks. Check what is planned near any new subdivision before you buy.
4. Halton Hills
Why it ranks: Halton Hills, which includes Georgetown and Acton, is also covered by Halton police and shares the 30.6 score.
What it’s like: the smallest Halton municipality, with about 68,300 people in mid-2025. It is more small-town and rural than the other three.
Who it suits: buyers who want Halton’s low crime, a quieter town feel and the lowest Halton entry price for a detached house.
What it costs: the detached median was $1,000,000 from January to October 2026, down 8.3%, and freehold townhouses sold at a median of $817,500. Homes sold in about 29 days on average.
What to check: fewer sales means each one moves the median more. Compare homes on similar lots, not the town-wide figure.
5. Caledon
Why it ranks: Caledon is in Peel Region but is not policed by Peel police. The OPP polices it under contract, so Statistics Canada reports it on its own. Its CSI was 38.9 in 2025, the second lowest in the GTA after Halton. It has stayed below 42 in each of the last three years.
What it’s like: a large town with a rural character, several villages and growing suburban areas, home to about 90,200 people in mid-2025.
Who it suits: buyers who want space, a larger lot or a rural setting, with lower crime than Brampton next door.
What it costs: the detached median was $1,180,000 from January to October 2026, down 7.3%. Detached homes took about 40 days on average to sell, slower than most of the GTA. My guide to the best neighbourhoods in Caledon covers the main areas.
What to check: Caledon’s violent crime score jumped from 38.1 in 2024 to 53.4 in 2025. In a small population, a handful of serious incidents moves the index a lot, so look at more than one year.
A low regional score does not mean every street is quiet, and a higher score does not mean every street is risky. The CSI also only counts crime reported to police. Before you buy, look at local data for the specific area and visit at different times of day. In Toronto, police data is available by neighbourhood, which I used in my safest neighbourhoods in Etobicoke guide.
How safe are Brampton, Mississauga and Toronto?
Brampton and Mississauga share Peel’s CSI of 59.4 for 2025. That is about the same as Toronto (60.0), slightly above the Ontario figure of 57.2, and well below the national figure of 75.0. The trend is the part to watch. Peel’s score rose 4.2% in 2025 and has climbed from 52.2 in 2023, while Toronto’s fell 12.6% in 2025.
Because Peel reports as one service, the CSI cannot tell you whether Brampton or Mississauga is safer. Anyone who claims a precise answer from this data is guessing. For Brampton prices and trends, see my Brampton housing market outlook for 2027.
Where do Durham and York Region rank?
Durham was next after Caledon, at 43.2 in 2025, down 8.5%. That score covers Oshawa, Whitby, Ajax, Pickering, Clarington and the rest of the region. If you want lower crime and lower prices, Durham is worth a look: the 2026 detached median was $977,000 in Whitby, $925,000 in Ajax and $820,000 in Clarington.
York Region scored 50.3, down 6.1%. That covers Markham, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Aurora, Newmarket and the other York towns. York is safer than Peel or Toronto on this measure, but its detached prices are among the highest in the GTA.
If safety is your top priority and your budget can stretch, Halton is the clear first choice on the numbers, and Burlington is where prices have held most steady. If your budget is closer to $1 million for a detached house, Halton Hills, Caledon and Durham give you a lower-crime area without Oakville prices. Whatever you choose, I would never pick a home on a regional score alone. Walk the street at night, talk to neighbours and check local data for the exact block.
What to do next
- Pick two or three cities from the table that fit your budget, using the 2026 medians above as a guide.
- Look at more than one year of crime data. A single year can swing, especially in smaller places like Caledon.
- For a specific address, check local police data and visit the street on a weekday evening and a weekend.
- Get a value estimate for your current home so you know your real budget before you start looking.
Need help with this? Talk to me.
I’m Jatin Dua, Broker of Record at RE/MAX Quantum Realty, and I’m the best agent to do this kind of work for you in Toronto and across the GTA. Over $100 million in GTA sales and 100+ families helped sell. Feel free to contact me any time: call or text 833-330-1925 or email [email protected].
Frequently asked questions
What is the safest city in the GTA?
Oakville, Burlington, Milton and Halton Hills share the title, because all four are policed by Halton Region and Statistics Canada reports crime by police service. Halton’s Crime Severity Index was 30.6 in 2025, the lowest in the GTA and about half of Toronto’s 60.0. Caledon, policed by the OPP, was next at 38.9. The 2025 figures were released in July 2026.
Is Brampton safe to live in?
Brampton is about as safe as Toronto on the official measure, and safer than the Canadian average. Brampton and Mississauga share Peel Region’s Crime Severity Index, which was 59.4 in 2025, compared with 60.0 for Toronto, 57.2 for Ontario and 75.0 for Canada. Peel’s score has risen two years in a row, from 52.2 in 2023, so the trend is worth watching in 2027.
What is the safest place to live near Toronto?
Halton Region is the safest large area near Toronto on Statistics Canada’s 2025 numbers. Its Crime Severity Index of 30.6 covers Oakville, Burlington, Milton and Halton Hills. Caledon came second in the GTA at 38.9, then Durham Region at 43.2. All three were well below Toronto’s 60.0. Street-level safety still varies inside every city, so check the exact area too.
What is the crime rate in GTA cities in 2025?
In 2025, Statistics Canada’s Crime Severity Index was 30.6 for Halton, 38.9 for Caledon, 43.2 for Durham, 50.3 for York, 59.4 for Peel and 60.0 for Toronto. Lower means less crime and less serious crime per person. Ontario’s figure was 57.2 and Canada’s was 75.0. The index is reported by police service, so cities inside one region share a score.
Is Mississauga safer than Brampton?
The official data cannot answer that, because Mississauga and Brampton are both policed by Peel Regional Police and Statistics Canada reports one Crime Severity Index for the whole service. Peel’s score was 59.4 in 2025, up 4.2% from 2024. To compare the two cities fairly you would need local police data by neighbourhood or division, not the regional index.
Is York Region safe?
Yes, York Region is safer than Toronto and Peel on Statistics Canada’s measure. Its Crime Severity Index was 50.3 in 2025, down 6.1% from 2024, compared with about 60 for both Toronto and Peel. That one score covers Markham, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Aurora, Newmarket and the other York towns, so it does not separate them.
Is Durham Region safe?
Durham Region had the third-lowest crime severity in the GTA in 2025, after Halton and Caledon. Its Crime Severity Index was 43.2, down 8.5% from 2024. The score covers Oshawa, Whitby, Ajax, Pickering, Clarington and the rest of the region. Durham also has some of the lowest detached prices in the GTA, with a 2026 median of $977,000 in Whitby.
Did crime go down in Toronto in 2025?
Yes. Toronto’s Crime Severity Index fell 12.6% in 2025, from 68.6 to 60.0, according to Statistics Canada figures released in July 2026. Violent crime severity fell from 99.8 to 81.1. That was the biggest drop of any GTA police service. Toronto’s score is now almost the same as Peel’s, which rose 4.2% to 59.4.
What does the Crime Severity Index measure?
The Crime Severity Index measures how much police-reported crime there is for the population and how serious it is. Serious crimes carry more weight than minor ones. Canada was set at 100 in 2006, and the national figure was 75.0 in 2025. Statistics Canada says it should not be used alone as a measure of safety, because reporting and policing practices differ.
Is Oakville safer than Toronto?
Yes, by a wide margin on Statistics Canada’s measure. Oakville is policed by Halton Region, whose Crime Severity Index was 30.6 in 2025, compared with 60.0 for Toronto. Halton’s violent crime score was 26.3, against 81.1 in Toronto. Oakville homes cost more, though: the detached median was $1,625,000 from January to October 2026.
Sources
- Statistics Canada, Table 35-10-0188-01: Crime severity index, police services in Ontario
- Statistics Canada, Table 35-10-0026-01: Crime severity index, Canada, provinces and CMAs
- Statistics Canada, The Daily: Police-reported crime statistics, 2025 (22 July 2026)
- Halton Regional Police: 2024 Crime Severity Index and 2025 six-month performance report
- Statistics Canada, Table 17-10-0155-01: Population estimates, July 1, by census subdivision
- Blue Line: Caledon policing (OPP contract)
- TRREB Market Watch, October 2026
Related reading
- Top 5 Best Neighbourhoods to Live in Mississauga in 2027
- Top 5 Best Neighbourhoods to Live in Brampton in 2027
- Top 5 Best Neighbourhoods to Live in Markham in 2027
- Top 5 Best Neighbourhoods to Live in Oakville in 2027
About the author — Jatin Dua, Toronto and GTA real estate broker
I am Jatin Dua, Broker of Record and co-founder of RE/MAX Quantum Realty Inc., Brokerage, Unit 101, 799 The Queensway, Toronto. I work with buyers and sellers across Toronto and the GTA and have helped more than 100 families sell. Four-plus years of active GTA transactions and over $100 million in sales volume.
Reach me at [email protected] or 833-330-1925, or book a call.