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Updated 2026-10-07T11:01:35Z
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Is Montreal safe? 🇨🇦
Canada · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, Montreal scores 89/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — very safe. Yes. Montreal is a very safe city for travelers, with low rates of violent crime and strong institutional stability. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and tourist-targeted scams.
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Montreal 🇨🇦
Canada · Assessed 13 October 2026
89
/ 100
What drives this score
Crime81/100GoodCrime index 32.8 / 100 · city-level
Sentiment85/100GoodMostly positive
Advisories100Good
Stability84Good
Health89Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Good
02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Good
Mugging & robbery risk
Low risk
92
City SignalCity Web Research
Pickpocketing & theft risk
Moderate risk
78
City SignalCity Web Research
Visitor safety sentiment
81 / 100 (Mostly positive)
81
City SignalCity Web Research
Urban scale factor
1.8M residents
61
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
2.0 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6Canada2World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
86
Robbery / mugging
LowMugging and armed robbery risk is low for visitors, with no specific hotspots identified beyond general urban caution.
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing and bag-snatching can occur in busy tourist zones such as Old Montreal and on public transport.
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Good
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Stable
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive
85/100
Reported feel81Mostly positive
Robbery risk92Low risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Most visitors report feeling safe in Montreal, with a high percentage feeling secure walking alone both in daylight and after dark.
Yes. Montreal is a very safe city for travelers, with low rates of violent crime and strong institutional stability.
Montreal consistently ranks high for safety, with low crime rates and excellent governance indicators. While petty crime exists, serious incidents targeting tourists are rare. Travelers generally feel secure, even at night.
Recent developments
- Sep 2026An officer was among two killed in a shooting that sources suggested targeted police.— Scripps News
- Sep 2026Fifteen people were arrested in a years-long organized crime probe.— thecanadianpressnews.ca
- Jul 2026Montreal's annual crime rate dropped in 2025.— Montreal Gazette
- Dec 2025Concerns were raised about the safety of Montreal airport's Uber pickup system.— CityNews Montreal
Common scams
- Overcharging by unofficial taxis or ride-shares, particularly from the airport.
- Distraction pickpocketing in crowded tourist areas.
Full briefing
Montreal offers a very safe environment for travelers, with official advisories indicating no reason to avoid the city. The city benefits from strong rule of law and low crime statistics, comparable to other major Canadian urban centers. While the overall crime rate has seen a decrease, as reported by the Montreal Gazette in July 2026, vigilance is still advised.
Recent incidents, such as a shooting in September 2026 that resulted in two fatalities, including an officer, and an organized crime probe leading to 15 arrests, highlight that criminal activity does occur. However, these events do not appear to be directly targeting tourists. Petty crime like pickpocketing remains a concern, particularly in crowded areas such as Old Montreal and on public transportation, as noted by the dossier.
Travelers should remain aware of their surroundings, especially in busy tourist districts. It is advisable to use official taxis or pre-booked ride-share services to avoid potential overcharging or safety issues, particularly when arriving at or departing from the airport, where concerns about Uber pickup systems were raised in December 2025. Keeping valuables secure and out of sight will help mitigate the risk of theft.
Was this Montreal, Canada report helpful?
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 7 Montreal districts for visitors: 5 safer, 2 needing caution. See them plotted on the Montreal safety map.
GriffintowncautionDeveloping area, exercise caution at night due to ongoing construction and fewer people.
Saint-HenricautionUp-and-coming neighborhood, generally safe but be aware of surroundings after dark.
Old MontrealsaferHistoric area, generally safe with good tourist presence.
Plateau Mont-RoyalsaferLively residential area, safe for daytime exploration.
Downtown MontrealsaferBusiness and shopping hub, safe with usual city precautions.
Mile EndsaferTrendy and safe, known for its arts and food scene.
VerdunsaferBecoming increasingly popular and generally safe.
07 · After Dark
Is Montreal safe at night?
88% of people in Canada say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2019).
Mugging and armed robbery risk is low for visitors, with no specific hotspots identified beyond general urban caution.
After dark, be most careful around Griffintown, Saint-Henri. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Montreal safety FAQ (2026)
Is Montreal safe right now (2026)?
Yes. Montreal is a very safe city for travelers, with low rates of violent crime and strong institutional stability. Montreal consistently ranks high for safety, with low crime rates and excellent governance indicators. While petty crime exists, serious incidents targeting tourists are rare. Travelers generally feel secure, even at night. (Assessed 13 October 2026.)
Is Montreal safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this Montreal 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 Montreal should tourists avoid?
No districts were flagged as no-go areas for visitors at the last assessment.
What are the most common scams in Montreal (2026)?
- Overcharging by unofficial taxis or ride-shares, particularly from the airport.
- Distraction pickpocketing in crowded tourist areas.
How does Montreal compare with other places in Canada (2026)?
Montreal ranks #8 of 9 Canada destinations we've assessed, scoring 89/100. See the Canada safety overview for the full list.
How is this montreal 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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Raw data: montreal.json (CC BY 4.0).