A report about property crime rates and housing prices places Barrie among Ontario’s safer cities for homeownership.
Zoocasa’s analysis compared property crime data from a recent Fraser Institute report, Comparing Recent Crime Trends in Canada and the United States: Urban Areas, with housing prices from the Canadian Real Estate Board’s January 2025 report to compile a list of safest places for homeownership in Canada and how much it costs to buy there.
According to the Fraser Institute report, property crime includes break-and-enters, motor vehicle thefts, and general thefts. The report states the average rate of property crime in Canadian urban areas is 2,588 per 100,000 people - eight per cent lower than the United States, which holds a rate of 2,821 per 100,000.
Though southern Ontario is known for higher housing prices, Zoocasa found Barrie to be a notable option for buyers when considering the safety of owning a property. The average home price in the city is $760,575—lower than Toronto’s $1,041,219—making it a more affordable alternative while still being considered a safe place to own property.
Cities such as Lethbridge, Alta., recorded the highest property crime rates, while Vancouver, B.C., and Calgary, Alta., also ranked among the top locations for property-related offences.
In Ontario, Belleville and St. Catharines-Niagara were also identified as safe options for homeowners.
More affordable alternatives exist in provinces such as Quebec and New Brunswick, where cities like Saguenay and Saint John report lower home prices at $333,310 and $332,480, respectively.
With affordability and security remaining important factors for homebuyers, Barrie is positioned as an option for those considering homeownership in Ontario.
