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Updated 2026-10-07T11:01:35Z
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Is Kingston safe? 🇨🇦
Canada · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, Kingston scores 90/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — very safe. Yes. Kingston is a very safe city for travelers, with low crime rates and no significant safety concerns. The main risks for visitors are tourist-targeted scams.
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Kingston 🇨🇦
Canada · Assessed 13 October 2026
90
/ 100
What drives this score
Crime82/100GoodCrime index 39.3 / 100 · city-level
Sentiment87/100GoodGenerally positive
Advisories100Good
Stability84Good
Health88Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Good
02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Good
Mugging & robbery risk
Low risk
92
City SignalCity Web Research
Pickpocketing & theft risk
Low risk
96
City SignalCity Web Research
Visitor safety sentiment
75 / 100 (Generally positive)
75
City SignalCity Web Research
Urban scale factor
132k residents
85
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
2.0 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6Canada2World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
86
Robbery / mugging
LowRisk of mugging or armed robbery is very low for visitors.
Pickpocketing
LowPickpocketing and bag-snatching are uncommon but can occur in busy tourist spots.
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Good
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Stable
Traveller sentiment score
Generally positive
87/100
Reported feel75Generally positive
Robbery risk92Low risk
Pickpocket risk96Low risk
Most visitors report feeling safe in Kingston, with a high percentage feeling secure walking alone in daylight. Nighttime safety perceptions are also strong.
Yes. Kingston is a very safe city for travelers, with low crime rates and no significant safety concerns.
Kingston consistently ranks high in safety indicators, with low violent crime and a strong rule of law. While petty crime can occur, especially in tourist areas, the overall risk to visitors is minimal.
Recent developments
- Feb 2026A protest on the steps of Kingston's City Hall turned physical.— Kingston Whig-Standard
- Jul 2021Serious crime was reported as being up in Kingston during the pandemic.— CBC
- Feb 2024A Canadian True Crime Podcast examined heinous crimes of Kingston's Richard Joyce.— Kingstonist News
Common scams
- Distraction theft, where one person distracts you while another steals your belongings.
- Overcharging for goods or services, particularly in tourist-heavy areas.
Full briefing
Kingston, Ontario, offers a very safe environment for travelers. Official advisories from the UK's FCDO indicate no concerns, and the city's crime rates are low, with a homicide rate significantly below the global average. You can expect to feel secure walking around the city, with a high percentage of people reporting feeling safe even after dark.
While Kingston is generally safe, like any city, it's wise to be aware of your surroundings. Petty theft can occur, particularly in crowded areas or tourist hotspots. Reports from Numbeo indicate that while violent crime is seen as a minor local problem, property crime is a more noted concern. Travelers should take standard precautions to protect their belongings.
Recent news indicates occasional localized incidents, such as a physical altercation during a protest at City Hall in February 2026. In the past, serious crime saw an increase during the pandemic. However, these events do not reflect a pervasive threat to visitors. It is advisable to stay informed about local happenings and to secure valuables to prevent opportunistic theft.
Was this Kingston, Canada report helpful?
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 6 Kingston districts for visitors: 4 safer, 2 needing caution. See them plotted on the Kingston safety map.
East EndcautionSome areas may have higher crime rates; exercise increased vigilance.
North EndcautionLess tourist-focused, be aware of surroundings, especially after dark.
Downtown KingstonsaferGenerally safe with good visitor sentiment, but be aware of potential petty crime.
WaterfrontsaferPopular tourist area, considered safe, especially during the day.
Queen's University DistrictsaferStudent area, generally safe, but exercise caution late at night.
West EndsaferResidential area, considered safe for visitors.
07 · After Dark
Is Kingston safe at night?
88% of people in Canada say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2019).
Risk of mugging or armed robbery is very low for visitors.
After dark, be most careful around East End, North End. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Kingston safety FAQ (2026)
Is Kingston safe right now (2026)?
Yes. Kingston is a very safe city for travelers, with low crime rates and no significant safety concerns. Kingston consistently ranks high in safety indicators, with low violent crime and a strong rule of law. While petty crime can occur, especially in tourist areas, the overall risk to visitors is minimal. (Assessed 13 October 2026.)
Is Kingston safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this Kingston report does not pretend it is: the score is re-weighted for who is travelling. A woman travelling alone, a family with children and a solo backpacker face different street-level risks, so the headline score shifts and the report leads with the findings that matter for that group. Personalize this report in one click to see the 2026 score and safety briefing for your specific travellers.
Which areas of Kingston should tourists avoid?
East End; North End. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Kingston (2026)?
- Distraction theft, where one person distracts you while another steals your belongings.
- Overcharging for goods or services, particularly in tourist-heavy areas.
How does Kingston compare with other places in Canada (2026)?
Kingston ranks #5 of 9 Canada destinations we've assessed, scoring 90/100. See the Canada safety overview for the full list.
How is this kingston safety score calculated (2026)?
The score blends 13+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, FBI crime data for U.S. cities, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry the bulk of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries the rest. Full methodology.
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