Living in Ville-Marie

Safety and reported crime

Over the most recent full year of data, 3,788 criminal acts were located in Ville-Marie, compared with 4,277 during the same window a year earlier, a change of -11.4%. The trend is therefore falling, but the level remains above the city average: the rate relative to the number of dwellings is 42.1 in the borough, against 23.6 for all boroughs combined. Ranked from the lowest rate upward, Ville-Marie places 19.

The most frequent category is thefts from vehicles, which accounts for 35.9% of located acts. Break-ins totalled 795, a rate of 8.8 compared with 5.8 across the city, which places the borough above the city average; that trend is falling.

One caveat applies everywhere in Montréal: 15.2% of published criminal acts carry no location, so borough totals understate the true picture by a similar margin across the city.

Housing stock

The assessment roll lists 89,910 dwellings in Ville-Marie. Condominium units account for 45.2% of that stock, a high share by Montréal standards and a reflection of the apartment towers and converted buildings that dominate parts of the borough.

The median construction year is 1982, and 29.7% of dwellings are in older buildings dating from the earlier decades of the roll. Buyers will therefore find a mix of recent construction and heritage stock, with differences in maintenance costs, insulation and condo fees that are worth checking building by building.

Rents in regional context

The rent figures below come from the CMHC survey for the Montréal census metropolitan area as a whole, not for Ville-Marie specifically. They are useful as a benchmark, but rents inside a central borough with a large condominium stock can differ noticeably from the regional average.

For the 2025 survey, the regional averages are $1,005 for a bachelor, $1,131 for a smaller one-bedroom unit, $1,346 for a mid-sized unit and $1,625 for the largest family units. Treat these as a starting point when comparing listings rather than as a prediction of what you will pay here.

Practical notes for newcomers

Because break-ins are above the city average at 8.8 against 5.8 citywide, it is reasonable to review door and window hardware, lighting and building access before moving in. Where a property is part of a condominium, ask the syndicate how entrances, garages and storage lockers are secured, since 45.2% of local dwellings are condominium units.

With thefts from vehicles as the leading category at 35.9% of located acts, drivers should avoid leaving anything visible in a parked vehicle and ask whether indoor parking is available with the unit.

When comparing home insurance quotes, expect insurers to look at the building's age; the median construction year here is 1982 and 29.7% of dwellings are in older buildings, which can affect coverage for plumbing, wiring and roofing. Buyers generally find it easier to negotiate with a mortgage pre-approval in hand, and renters should budget against the regional averages above rather than a single listing.