You probably know Canada as a pretty awesome place, right? It’s famous for beautiful nature, friendly people, and generally being a safe country. But just like everywhere else, some cities in Canada can be a bit more dangerous than the others.
Let’s keep it real – no place is perfect, and Canada has its own challenges, too. For instance, there are cities with a bit higher crime rate. One example is Surrey, a city in Canada, which ranks 56th in the list of most dangerous cities in the world according to Numbeo.
They use a Crime Index where a higher number means more crime, and Surrey scored 63.4. On the Safety Index, where a higher number means it’s safer, Surrey scored 36.6.
In this article, we’re going to explore the top 10 cities in Canada where crime is a bit more common. We’ll start at number 10 (the least dangerous of this group) and work our way up to number 1 (the most dangerous). We’ll use the most recent data from 2023 for our list.
But don’t forget, even though these cities might have higher crime rates, Canada is still one of the safest countries in the world. Its beautiful nature, friendly communities, and lots of cool things to do and see make Canada a great place to live. So, let’s dive in and learn a bit more about these cities.
Most Dangerous Cities in Canada for 2023:
In this article, we’ll dig into the most dangerous cities in Canada using Numbeo’s latest 2023 data for the crime and safety indexes.
We’ll discuss the factors contributing to high crime rates in these cities and discuss safety concerns for residents and visitors.
+1 News‘s goal is to give you a well-informed perspective on Canadian city safety, helping you make educated decisions about where to live, work, or visit.
Overview:
They use a Crime Index: the higher number, the more crime. Surrey scored 63.4. And on a Safety Index, where a higher number means it’s safer, Surrey scored 36.6.
This article discusses the top 10 most dangerous cities in Canada where crime is a little more common. We will start from number 10, being the least dangerous, and then move our way up to number 1, the most dangerous. We have based our list on 2023 data, the most recent one.
But, remember one thing: while these may be high crime cities, Canada is still one of the safest countries on the planet. This is the reason that Canada, with lots of beautiful nature, friendly communities, and cool stuff to do and see, is a place you might want to make your home. So, get prepared to find out more about these cities.
Click to jump directly on any city:
What are the most dangerous cities of Canada for 2023?
1. Surrey, British Columbia
Surrey tops the list of the most dangerous cities in Canada, with a crime index score of 63.7 and a safety index score of only 36.3.
That’s a big number! It’s mostly because of drug crimes like possession and related assaults. These are serious issues that have many people worried.
The city has a high incidence of gang violence, property crime, and drug trafficking, which contributes to its high crime rate.
On the bright side, the city has taken measures to combat crime, including hiring more police officers and establishing programs to help at-risk youth.
2. Lethbridge, Alberta
Lethbridge ranks second on the list, with a crime index score of 62.3 and a safety index score of 37.7.
The city’s violent crime rate stands at 133.8, and the nonviolent crime rate at 154.0. These figures surpass Alberta’s Crime Severity Index (CSI) of 101.36, causing some concern for residents and potential visitors
Lethbridge has a high incidence of property crime, including theft and vandalism, as well as violent crimes such as assault and sexual assault.
3. Red Deer, Alberta
Red Deer ranks fourth on the list, with a crime index score of 61.8 and a safety index score of 38.2. Its total violent crime rate is 175.7, while nonviolent crimes measure 176.2. That’s many points above Alberta’s average.
Red Deer has a high incidence of property crime, including theft and vandalism, as well as violent crimes such as assault and robbery.
4. Kelowna, British Columbia
Kelowna ranks third on the list, with a crime index score of 61.57 and a safety index score of 38.43. The city’s violent crime rate stands at 124.3, and the nonviolent crime rate is 148.0. In particular, the most reported crimes are theft and vandalism.
Kelowna has a high incidence of property crime, including theft and break-ins, and also has a high incidence of drug use.
5. Sudbury, Ontario
Over the past three years, the VCSI reports a consistent decrease in minor offences in Sudbury, even as violent crime rates have risen.
Sudbury ranks fifth on the list of the most dangerous cities in Canada, with a crime index score of 60.67 and a safety index score of 39.33. In 2021, it had the fourth-highest rate of murders in all of Canada.
Sudbury has a high incidence of property crime, including theft and break-ins, as well as drug use and gang violence.
6. Oshawa, Ontario
Oshawa has a crime index of 59.99 and a safety index of 40.01, making it a relatively dangerous city in Canada, where residents still face a high risk of violent and property crime.
Mostly occurrences of drug use, that include in-and-out such as vandalism, minor theft, simple assault, and quick property thefts. The city, in the year 2022, recorded up to 15 murders.
Oshawa is a medium-sized city in Ontario located on the banks of Lake Ontario, and it is home to over 175,000 people.
7. Winnipeg, Manitoba
Winnipeg ranks seventh on the list, with a crime index score of 59.61 and a safety index score of 40.39. Most serious crimes here are tied to gangs and drugs.
Winnipeg has a high incidence of property crime, including theft and vandalism, as well as violent crimes such as assault and robbery.
8. Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
Sault Ste. Marie ranks sixth on the list, with a crime index score of 59.2 and a safety index score of 40.8. Its violent crime rate sits at 143.2, and its nonviolent crime rate measures 126.1. The issues like assault and theft place it among the world’s top 100 most dangerous cities.
Sault Ste. Marie has high incidence of property crime, including theft and break-ins, and also has a high incidence of violent crimes such as assault and sexual assault.
Moreover, a worrying prevalence of drug-related activities, including usage and dealing, as well as vandalism, add to the area’s challenges.
9. Kamloops, British Columbia
Kamloops, located in British Columbia with a crime index of 55.39 is one of the most dangerous cities in Canada. Its safety index is 44.61. It has a violent crime rating of 132.9 and a nonviolent crime rating of 135.9.
Despite being known for its natural beauty and outdoor recreational activities, it has been plagued by high crime rates in recent years. Property crimes are particularly common in Kamloops.
10. Hamilton, Ontario
With a crime index of 54.98 and a safety index of 45.02, Hamilton ranks among the most dangerous cities in Canada. Located in Ontario, Hamilton has a population of over 570,000 people and has been struggling with rising crime rates in recent years.
Violent crimes, such as vandalism, theft, muggings, assault and robbery, are common in Hamilton.
Other notable cities with high crime rates in Canada include Brampton, London, Regina, Saskatoon, St. John’s, Edmonton, and Windsor.
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Most Unsafe cities worldwide: Is Your City on the List?
Crime rates are high in various parts of the world, so knowing which cities are considered the most dangerous is crucial.
High crime rates can be found in many parts of the world; therefore, it is essential to understand which cities should be declared the most dangerous.
According to Numbeo, Caracas, Venezuela is considered the most dangerous city in the world; it has a crime index of 83.4 and a safety index of just 16.6.
Southern African cities take the top positions, including Pietermaritzburg, Pretoria, Durban, and Johannesburg.
Also in the top 10 are San Pedro Sula in Honduras, Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea, Kabul in Afghanistan, Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, and Alice Springs in Australia.
Included among these were several US cities: Baltimore, Memphis, Detroit, New Orleans, Oakland, Milwaukee, Cleveland, Houston, Atlanta, Kansas City, and Indianapolis.
Think of your destination’s safety when you plan to travel or move to a new city.
Here is a table of the top 100 most dangerous cities in the world, ranked by Numbeo.
| Rank | City | Crime Index | Safety Index |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Caracas, Venezuela | 83.4 | 16.6 |
| 2 | Pietermaritzburg, South Africa | 81.9 | 18.1 |
| 3 | Pretoria, South Africa | 81.9 | 18.1 |
| 4 | Durban, South Africa | 81.0 | 19.0 |
| 5 | Johannesburg, South Africa | 80.8 | 19.2 |
| 6 | San Pedro Sula, Honduras | 80.7 | 19.3 |
| 7 | Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea | 80.4 | 19.6 |
| 8 | Kabul, Afghanistan | 80.1 | 19.9 |
| 9 | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | 77.7 | 22.3 |
| 10 | Alice Springs, Australia | 77.3 | 22.7 |
| 11 | Fortaleza, Brazil | 77.1 | 22.9 |
| 12 | Natal, Brazil | 77.0 | 23.0 |
| 13 | Salvador, Brazil | 76.7 | 23.3 |
| 14 | Recife, Brazil | 76.3 | 23.7 |
| 15 | Port Elizabeth, South Africa | 76.3 | 23.7 |
| 16 | Port of Spain, Trinidad And Tobago | 76.2 | 23.8 |
| 17 | Baltimore, MD, United States | 75.8 | 24.2 |
| 18 | Rosario, Argentina | 75.5 | 24.5 |
| 19 | Memphis, TN, United States | 75.3 | 24.7 |
| 20 | Detroit, MI, United States | 74.2 | 25.8 |
| 21 | Cape Town, South Africa | 73.6 | 26.4 |
| 22 | Preston, United Kingdom | 73.2 | 26.8 |
| 23 | Porto Alegre, Brazil | 72.1 | 27.9 |
| 24 | Albuquerque, NM, United States | 71.9 | 28.1 |
| 25 | Guayaquil, Ecuador | 71.8 | 28.2 |
Conclusion:
Generally, Canada is a safe country; however, a few cities experience relatively higher crime statistics compared to others. Among the most dangerous cities in Canada, based on crime statistics, are Surrey, Lethbridge, Kelowna, and Red Deer.
Residents are at a higher risk of violent and property crimes than are the residents in many other Canadian cities. Although, crime rates are relative to many influences, such as population density, economic conditions, and police strategies.
Check on the safety of the cities you may want to visit or move to in Canada. Crime is an event you will find everywhere, but it’s good to know the risks to make an educated decision regarding your safety and well-being. Just always remember that you should exercise precaution and take necessary precautions no matter where in Canada you are.
