Why are families leaving Toronto?

Families are leaving Toronto due to high home prices, safety concerns related to street drug use, and unaffordable rental markets.

Can families with high incomes afford to live in Toronto?

Even families earning $200,000 annually struggle to afford a modest home in Toronto, feeling financially constrained.

What are the safety concerns in Toronto for families?

Concerns include frequent encounters with open drug use and a perceived lack of safety in neighborhoods, prompting moves to other areas.

Home / Business and Economy / Toronto Families Flee High Costs and Safety Woes

Toronto Families Flee High Costs and Safety Woes

1 Dec, 2025

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Summary

High home prices force families with $200K incomes out.
Safety concerns, including drug use, drive families away.
Families relocate for better affordability and community feel.

Toronto Families Flee High Costs and Safety Woes

Families are increasingly departing Toronto, citing prohibitive home prices and escalating concerns over street drug use as major deterrents to raising children. Even households with substantial incomes find themselves house-poor, struggling to secure affordable and safe housing. This has led many to seek more welcoming communities across Canada, prioritizing financial stability and peace of mind over urban living.

Concerns extend beyond finances, with incidents of open drug use and safety worries prompting some families to move. While relocating offers financial relief and a sense of community, it can also bring emotional challenges, including difficulties in forming new social connections. The city's housing market continues to grapple with affordability, impacting both potential buyers and renters, while development faces new hurdles.

Recent challenges with supervised consumption sites have been linked to increased visible substance use on streets, exacerbating neighborhood safety concerns. Meanwhile, issues within the school system, such as catchment area changes, further contribute to parental dissatisfaction. Despite city efforts to increase housing supply and affordability, many families are actively exploring alternatives, questioning their long-term viability in Toronto.