Safest Calgary Neighbourhoods for Families Moving in 2026

When you are choosing where to raise a family in Calgary, safety ranks at the top of most parents’ lists. The good news: Calgary is getting dramatically safer. Statistics Canada’s Crime Severity Index for the Calgary CMA dropped to 62.3 in 2024 — a 14% decline from the previous year and near the all-time low of 61.1 set in 2014. For context, Edmonton’s CSI is 101.1, Winnipeg’s is 124.4, and the national average is 77.9. Calgary is well below average and trending in the right direction.

But safety varies widely between neighbourhoods. Using data from the Calgary Police Service community crime statistics portal and the City of Calgary community profiles, here is a data-backed look at Calgary’s safest communities for families — along with housing costs, school highlights, and practical moving notes for each one.

How We Measured Safety

This guide uses two primary data sources. At the city level, we reference Statistics Canada’s Crime Severity Index (CSI), which weights offences by seriousness rather than just counting incidents. At the neighbourhood level, we use Calgary Police Service community crime statistics, available as open data through the City of Calgary. We focused on communities with low rates of both person crimes (assaults, robberies) and property crimes (break-ins, vehicle theft).

One consistent pattern: suburban family communities see mostly property crime (primarily theft from vehicles), while person crimes are comparatively rare. The communities below all have per-capita crime rates far below the city average. You can explore the data yourself on the CPS interactive crime map.

Southwest Calgary

Aspen Woods and Springbank Hill

Consistently among Calgary’s lowest-crime communities. These upscale neighbourhoods near the western city limits feature large single-family homes, proximity to the Rocky Mountains, and low population density. Aspen Woods is home to Webber Academy, ranked 10.0 out of 10 by the Fraser Institute — the top-ranked school in Alberta for both elementary and high school.

Housing is premium: Aspen Woods detached homes range from roughly $900,000 to well over $1.4 million, while Springbank Hill’s detached average exceeds $1 million (median around $700,000 due to a mix of housing types). Both communities benefit from the West Calgary Ring Road, which opened in December 2023 and dramatically improved highway access. Aspen Woods has multiple sub-community HOAs with varying architectural restrictions.

Moving notes: Wide streets and large driveways make loading easy in both communities. However, the terrain is elevated (roughly 1,130 metres) with rolling hills and steep driveways — chinook freeze-thaw cycles create black ice risk in winter. Springbank Hill is only about 50% developed, so expect active construction zones and potentially unreliable GPS routing in newer sections.

Signal Hill and Strathcona Park

Established southwest communities with crime rates well below the city average. Signal Hill literally sits on a prominent hill — steep grades between upper and lower Signal Hill are a defining feature. The community offers panoramic city and mountain views, proximity to the Westside Recreation Centre, and major shopping at Signal Hill Centre and Westhills.

Signal Hill detached homes average roughly $988,000 (111 sales in 2025), with townhomes around $427,000. Strathcona Park, established in 1980, has a more mature street layout with predominantly single-family detached homes.

Moving notes: Signal Hill’s steep grades require extra caution for winter moves. The community has higher population density than most suburbs, so parking can be tighter. Nearest CTrain station is Sirocco on the Blue Line, about a 5–10 minute drive. Strathcona Park has wider streets and more straightforward truck access.

Northwest Calgary

Tuscany

A family-focused community near the western city edge with very low crime rates. Tuscany has its own CTrain station (the Red Line’s northwest terminus, opened 2014) — a significant advantage for commuting families. Homes range from townhomes starting around $558,000 to detached houses averaging roughly $797,000. Twelve Mile Coulee School is frequently cited among the city’s best elementary schools. Excellent Trans-Canada Highway access for families who ski or camp in the mountains.

Moving notes: Hilly terrain with a ravine system running through the community. Some streets have significant grades that require extra care with heavy loads in winter. Wildlife (deer and coyotes) frequently cross roads — a hazard during early morning or evening moves. The Tuscany Club offers private residents’ amenities.

Edgemont and Hamptons

Two established northwest communities with strong schools, parks, and consistently low crime. Edgemont (population 17,000+) borders Nose Hill Park — the fourth-largest urban park in Canada at 1,129 hectares. Schools include Edgemont Elementary, Tom Baines Junior High, and Sir Winston Churchill High School. Detached homes average roughly $692,000.

Hamptons is unique in Calgary: its HOA is also its community association, funding enhanced maintenance, an Olympic-size hockey rink with heated bleachers, tennis courts, sports fields, and a creative playground. Detached homes average roughly $942,000. The Hamptons Golf Club area saw a redevelopment proposal (approximately 64 residential units) that generated 2,500 letters of opposition — a sign of how much residents value the community’s character.

Moving notes: Both communities have wide residential streets with good truck access — among the easiest northwest areas to move in and out of. Edgemont sits high above Nose Hill Park, so the community entrance involves some elevation change. Both are accessible via Shaganappi Trail and Sarcee Trail. Nearest CTrain: Crowfoot Station (Red Line), about a 5–10 minute drive.

South Calgary

Lake Bonavista and Maple Ridge

Lake Bonavista holds a special place in Calgary history: it was Canada’s first man-made lake community, developed starting in 1967. The 52-acre lake (built 1968) is surrounded by a 25-acre park and a 65-foot man-made hill with a waterfall — all created from excavated earth. Crime rates are among the lowest in the city. Both communities sit near the northern edge of Fish Creek Provincial Park — the second-largest urban park in Canada at 13.48 square kilometres with over 100 kilometres of trails.

Lake Bonavista’s detached benchmark exceeds $1 million, reflecting its lakefront premium. The community charges a mandatory $409.50/year HOA fee (details on their website). Maple Ridge, developed in the 1960s–70s, features mid-century bungalows and split-levels with mature trees and large yards.

Moving notes: Older homes in both communities may have narrower driveways and more stairs (split-levels are common in Maple Ridge). Mature trees can limit truck manoeuvrability on some streets. Canyon Meadows CTrain station (Red Line) is nearby. The area is close to Deerfoot Trail, making cross-city moves efficient.

Cranston and Auburn Bay

Newer south communities (built 2000s–2010s) with residents-only lakes and modern amenities. Auburn Bay has a 43-acre private lake, a 7,000-square-foot community centre (Auburn House), and is minutes from the South Health Campus hospital in Seton. The mandatory HOA fee is roughly $475–$500/year (Auburn Bay RA website). Median home price across all types is roughly $535,500 — making it one of the most affordable safe communities on this list.

Cranston features Century Hall (gymnasium, hockey rink with Zamboni, splash park, basketball courts) and dedicates roughly 75% of its land to green spaces, parks, and pathways. The Bow River and Fish Creek Park form its western and southern boundaries. Cranston’s Riverstone area charges a mandatory $470/year HOA; Upper Cranston’s fee is about $167/year. Both communities have very low crime rates and strong family demographics.

Moving notes: Newer construction means wider streets and standard double garages — straightforward for moving trucks. The trade-off: these communities sit on Calgary’s southern edge, so moves from the north can add 30–40 minutes of transit time, which affects hourly moving costs. See our Calgary moving cost guide for how neighbourhood factors affect your bill.

Southeast Calgary

McKenzie Towne and New Brighton

McKenzie Towne is one of Calgary’s most successful master-planned communities, designed by Andres Duany using New Urbanist principles. The Elgin neighbourhood features six distinct European architectural styles (English Cottage, Greek Revival, English Tudor, French Eclectic, Italianate, English Arts & Crafts). High Street offers a traditional village-centre feel with local shops and restaurants. Crime rates are low and the community is popular with families.

New Brighton features a private lake and extensive cycling pathways. Both communities are adjacent to Fish Creek Provincial Park and sit close to the 130th Avenue SE retail corridor (Walmart, Real Canadian Superstore). Detached homes in both average roughly $580,000 — among the most affordable family options in south Calgary.

Moving notes — McKenzie Towne is the most challenging community on this list for moving trucks. The New Urbanist design means deliberately narrow streets (designed to slow traffic, not accommodate large trucks) and rear-lane housing with garages accessed from back alleys. Movers often need to park on main roads and carry furniture further distances. Plan your truck route through the community in advance. New Brighton has a more conventional street layout and is straightforward. Nearest CTrain: Somerset-Bridlewood (Red Line terminus), about 10–15 minutes by car.

Northeast Calgary

Country Hills and Panorama Hills

The northeast gets a bad reputation overall, but Country Hills and Panorama Hills are among Calgary’s safest and most family-friendly communities. The data backs this up — both have per-capita crime rates well below the city average. Panorama Hills is Calgary’s largest community by population (25,710 residents as of the 2019 census), with 80% single-family homes, three-plus in-community schools (including Captain Nichola Goddard School), and proximity to Vivo for Healthier Generations (a major recreation centre).

Country Hills offers the most affordable entry point on this list at roughly $595,000 average for detached homes. Panorama Hills averages about $737,000. Both have excellent Stoney Trail access and are close to Country Hills Towne Centre (52+ shops including Superstore, Canadian Tire, and Landmark Cinemas). CrossIron Mills outlet mall is a short drive north via Stoney Trail.

Moving notes: Panorama Hills has steep grades on several streets — winter moves here require caution, especially on icy driveways. The City of Calgary also ran a Neighbourhood Streets traffic calming initiative that narrowed some streets in Panorama Hills, which may affect moving truck routing. Country Hills has relatively flat terrain and is more straightforward. Both communities have good Stoney Trail access for moves from other parts of the city.

Areas to Research More Carefully

Every city has areas with higher crime rates. In Calgary, the CPS data consistently shows higher incidents in the downtown core and East Village (higher density means higher raw numbers — per-capita context matters), Forest Lawn / International Avenue (higher property and person crime, but an improving and culturally vibrant area), and the Beltline (higher vehicle break-ins and theft, typical of dense urban neighbourhoods).

These areas also offer significant advantages: walkability, transit access, cultural diversity, and lower housing costs. “Higher crime” does not necessarily mean “avoid.” Use the CPS community crime map to look at specific data for any community you are considering, and see our Calgary rental market guide for how these areas compare on price.

Lake Community HOA Fees

Three communities on this list are lake communities with mandatory annual fees registered on the land title. Budget for these when comparing neighbourhood costs:

• Lake Bonavista: $409.50/year — covers access to Calgary’s original man-made lake and surrounding parkland

• Auburn Bay: ~$475–$500/year — covers 43-acre lake, Auburn House community centre, beaches, playgrounds

• Cranston Riverstone: ~$470/year — covers Century Hall, hockey rink, splash park, gymnasium ($167/year for Upper Cranston)

These fees are non-negotiable — they are attached to the property title, not optional memberships. Factor them into your annual housing cost alongside property taxes (Calgary’s effective rate is roughly 0.62% of assessed value, per the City of Calgary).

What Affects Your Moving Cost by Neighbourhood

Not all safe neighbourhoods are equally easy to move into. Here is what drives cost differences:

• Terrain: Southwest and northwest communities (Signal Hill, Springbank Hill, Tuscany, Edgemont) sit on hills. Winter moves on steep residential streets may need extra crew and take longer.

• Street design: McKenzie Towne’s narrow New Urbanist streets and rear lanes are the hardest on this list for truck access. Most other communities have wide suburban streets.

• Distance: Communities on Calgary’s southern edge (Auburn Bay, Cranston, McKenzie Towne) add 30–40 minutes of transit time from the north, increasing hourly costs.

• Home style: Older communities (Lake Bonavista, Maple Ridge) have split-levels with more stairs. Newer communities have standard double garages and single-storey entries.

• Chinook winds: Calgary averages 30–35 chinook days per year. Rapid freeze-thaw cycles create black ice on hills — a particular hazard on the elevated SW and NW communities. See our chinook and winter moving guide for how to plan around them.

Our Calgary moving cost guide breaks down pricing by home size, distance, and add-on services. For street parking logistics, see our parking permits guide.

Calgary Moving Guides

We have built a library of Calgary-specific guides to help with every aspect of your move:

• How Much Does It Cost to Move in Calgary? — pricing by home size, distance, and season

• Best and Worst Times to Move in Calgary — month-by-month demand and pricing patterns

• Calgary Moving Day Parking Permits — how to secure street space for your truck

• Calgary Condo and Apartment Moving Rules — elevator bookings, COI, and building access

• Calgary Rental Market 2026 — vacancy rates, prices, and best areas for renters

• Pre-Move Decluttering in Calgary — where to donate, recycle, and dispose

• Moving in Calgary During Winter — the chinook factor and cold-weather tips

• Calgary’s Fastest-Growing Communities — where the city is expanding in 2026

• Moving from Calgary to Edmonton — the complete QE2 corridor guide

Plan Your Move to a Safe Calgary Neighbourhood

Once you have chosen your neighbourhood, our Calgary movers can handle the logistics. We move families into every community listed above — and we know the specific challenges of each one, from Tuscany’s hills to McKenzie Towne’s back lanes to Lake Bonavista’s mature streets.

Get a free quote and let us know your new address — we will plan the most efficient route and handle the details so you can focus on settling into your new neighbourhood.