Is Victoria moving in the right direction?

12 key numbers, each linked to its source. Updated Nov 12, 2026.

This year, 12 key measures

4 to 6 years: 4 better, 4 worse, 2 same, 2 no verdict.

4 to 6 years

4Better4Worse2Same2No verdict

Targets2 of 12 have a target or standard.2 of 12 have a target or standard that applies here. 1 government target (ahead). 1 professional standard (not met).

Key measures

Emergency wait7.3 hoursRoyal Jubilee · CIHI1 yrAbout the same4 yrs WorseStandard 3.0 · 4.3 hours over
Surgery wait5.9 weeksRoyal Jubilee · B.C. Health1 yr Better6 yrs BetterNo target found · B.C. 6.0 weeks
Rent, 2-bedroom$2,120 a monthCMHC1 yr Worse6 yrs WorseRelated limit only
Prices+3.4% in a yearStatistics Canada1 yr Rising5 yrs RisingCanada’s range 1% to 3% · 0.4 pts above the range
New homes vs target2,359 homesCity of Victoria · reportsAhead of target+882 in year 2Target to date 1,425 · 934 ahead
Large-building permits160 daysCity of Victoria · City data1 yr Worse6 yrs WorseNo target found
Homelessness2,531 peopleCapital Region · BC Stats1 yr Worse5 yrs WorseNo target found
Toxic drug deaths124 in a yearSouth Island · BC Coroners1 yrAbout the same5 yrs BetterNo target found
Police-reported crime74.6 indexStatistics Canada1 yrAbout the same6 yrsAbout the sameNo target found · B.C. 92.4
Employment rate61.4% have a jobStatistics Canada1 yrAbout the same5 yrsAbout the sameNo target found · B.C. 60.7%
Property tax$4,557 in 2026City of Victoria · B.C.1 yr Rising6 yrs RisingNo target found
Finishing high school91.1%3 school districts · B.C.1 yrAbout the same5 yrs BetterRelated target only · B.C. 92.5%
No key measure is mainly decided by a regional body. 7 other measures are, below.

No key measure is mainly decided by a regional body. 7 other measures are, below.

Key measures
Measure	Latest	In a year	Long run (5 years, since 2019, or the longest available)	Target or benchmark	Who decides, and the source
Emergency waitRoyal Jubilee	7.3 hours, 9 in 102025/26	About the same−1.4%	Worse+109% in 4 yrs	Standard 3.04.3 hours over	ProvinceCIHI: check this number
Surgery waitRoyal Jubilee	5.9 weeks2025/26	Better−15.7%	Better−16.9% in 6 yrs	No target foundB.C. 6.0 weeks	ProvinceB.C. Health: check this number
Rent, 2-bedroomGreater Victoria	$2,120 a monthOct 2025	Worse+5.1%	Worse+46.4% in 6 yrs	Related limit only	ProvinceCMHC: check this number
PricesVictoria area	+3.4% in a yearSep 2026	Rising+1.0 pt	Rising+19.8% in 5 yrs	Canada’s range 1% to 3%0.4 pts above the range	Bank of CanadaStatistics Canada: check this number
New homes vs targetCity of Victoria	2,359 net new homesOct 2023 to Sep 2025	Ahead of target+882 in year 2		Target to date 1,425934 ahead	ProvinceCity reports: check this number
Large-building permitsCity of Victoria	160 days, medianPermits issued in 2025	Worse+42.9%	Worse+68.4% in 6 yrs	No target found	City CouncilCity data: check this number
HomelessnessCapital Region	2,531 people2024	Worse+5.9%	Worse+30.3% in 5 yrs	No target found	ProvinceBC Stats: check this number
Toxic drug deathsSouth Vancouver Island	124 in 12 monthsto Sep 2026	About the same−0.8%	Better−10.1% in 5 yrs	No target found	ProvinceBC Coroners: check this number
Police-reported crimeGreater Victoria	74.6 severity index2025	About the same+4.8%	About the same+1.2% in 6 yrs	No target foundB.C. 92.4	FederalStatistics Canada: check this number
Employment rateGreater Victoria	61.4% 15 and overto Oct 2026	About the same−2.0 pt	About the same+2.3 pt in 5 yrs	No target foundB.C. 60.7%	No one directlyStatistics Canada: check this number
Property taxCity of Victoria	$4,557 in 2026	Rising+12.1%	Rising+65.3%* in 6 yrs	No target found	City CouncilB.C., StatCan: check this number
Finishing high schoolSchool districts 61 to 63	91.1% within 6 yearsSchool year 2024/25	About the same+0.9 pt	Better+4.8 pt in 5 yrs	Related target onlyB.C. 92.5%	School boardsB.C. data: check this number

Greater Victoria unless a row names another place. Tap a row for its source. ≈ Same means within ±5%, or within the agency’s margin of error. No verdict: taxes and prices, where better or worse is a matter of opinion. How we label direction

* Property tax: 2020 base, a pandemic year. Its headline is the change since 2020.

Emergency wait: 9 in 10 patients saw a doctor within this time (CIHI’s 90th percentile). Police-reported crime: Statistics Canada index: crimes weighted by seriousness, set to 100 in 2006.

All 57 measures21 of 57 measures7 of 57 measures2 of 57 measures13 of 57 measures5 of 57 measures9 of 57 measures

Health care40004002 better, 2 same2 better, 2 same

What was delivered

Cost of living60002221 better, 2 worse, 1 same, 2 no verdict2 worse1 better, 1 no verdict1 same, 1 no verdict

What was delivered

Background

Gasoline183.7 cents a litreStatistics Canada1 yr Rising5 yrs RisingNo target expected

Housing93402005 better, 2 worse, 1 no verdict, 1 mixed or not comparable1 better, 1 worse, 1 mixed or not comparable3 better, 1 worse1 better, 1 no verdict

What was delivered

Homelessness and drugs40004001 worse, 1 same, 1 no verdict, 1 mixed or not comparable1 worse, 1 same, 1 no verdict, 1 mixed or not comparable

What was delivered

Background

Shelter share86% of unitsCity of Victoria · BC Stats1 yrSteadyNo target expected

Safety107000302 worse, 3 same, 4 no verdict, 1 mixed or not comparable1 worse, 1 same, 4 no verdict, 1 mixed or not comparable1 worse, 2 same

What was spent or decided

What was delivered

Business and jobs82001051 better, 1 worse, 5 same, 1 no verdict1 better, 1 same1 no verdict1 worse, 4 same

What was delivered

Background

Income assistance14,896 casesCapital Region · B.C. data1 yrSteady5 yrs RisingRelated target only

City finances88000008 no verdict8 no verdict

What was spent or decided

What was delivered

Capital done vs plan39% of planCity of Victoria · City data1 yr FallingNo target found

Background

Schools20020001 worse, 1 same1 worse, 1 same

What was delivered

Getting around20200001 worse, 1 same1 worse, 1 same

What was delivered

Environment21100002 worse1 worse1 worse

What was delivered

City government and residents20000021 better, 1 no verdict1 better, 1 no verdict

What was delivered

Voter turnout41.4% of registeredCity of Victoria · City data4 yrs BetterNo target expected

Background

Greater Victoria population445,090Statistics Canada1 yrSteady6 yrs RisingNo target expected

Health care4 measures0 measures0 measures0 measures4 measures0 measures0 measures2 better, 2 same2 better, 2 same

What was delivered

Health care: What was delivered
Measure	Latest	In a year	Long run (5 years, since 2019, or the longest available)	Target or benchmark	Who decides, and the source
Emergency waitRoyal Jubilee	7.3 hours, 9 in 102025/26	About the same−1.4%	Worse+109% in 4 yrs	Standard 3.04.3 hours over	ProvinceCIHI: check this number
Surgery waitRoyal Jubilee	5.9 weeks2025/26	Better−15.7%	Better−16.9% in 6 yrs	No target foundB.C. 6.0 weeks	ProvinceB.C. Health: check this number
Regular doctor or NP, B.C.All of B.C.	79.9% of adults2024	About the same−1.7 pt	Not comparable5 yrs	Related target only	ProvinceStatistics Canada: check this number
People waiting for surgeryIsland Health	19,457 people2025/26	Better−8.3%	About the same−1.0% in 6 yrs	No target found	ProvinceB.C. Health: check this number

Cost of living6 measures0 measures0 measures0 measures2 measures2 measures2 measures1 better, 2 worse, 1 same, 2 no verdict2 worse1 better, 1 no verdict1 same, 1 no verdict

What was delivered

Cost of living: What was delivered
Measure	Latest	In a year	Long run (5 years, since 2019, or the longest available)	Target or benchmark	Who decides, and the source
Rent, 2-bedroomGreater Victoria	$2,120 a monthOct 2025	Worse+5.1%	Worse+46.4% in 6 yrs	Related limit only	ProvinceCMHC: check this number
PricesVictoria area	+3.4% in a yearSep 2026	Rising+1.0 pt	Rising+19.8% in 5 yrs	Canada’s range 1% to 3%0.4 pts above the range	Bank of CanadaStatistics Canada: check this number
Rent after inflationGreater Victoria	+43% in 10 yearsOct 2015 to Oct 2025 surveys	Worse+4.0%	Worse+21.6% in 6 yrs	Related limit only	ProvinceCMHC: check this number
Mortgage vs incomeGreater Victoria	45% of incomeApr–Jun 2026	Better−2.5 pt	Worse+7.8 pt in 5 yrs	No target found	Bank of CanadaBC Stats: check this number
Asking rent, 2-bedroomGreater Victoria	$2,640 a monthApr–Jun 2026	About the same−2.6%	Worse+26.9% in 5 yrs	No target found	No one directlyStatistics Canada: check this number

Background

Cost of living: Background
Measure	Latest	In a year	Long run (5 years, since 2019, or the longest available)	Trend	Target or benchmark	Who decides, and the source
GasolineVictoria area	183.7 cents a litreto Sep 2026	Rising+7.1%	Rising+28.2% in 5 yrs		No target expected	No one directlyStatistics Canada: check this number

Housing9 measures3 measures4 measures0 measures2 measures0 measures0 measures5 better, 2 worse, 1 no verdict, 1 mixed or not comparable1 better, 1 worse, 1 mixed or not comparable3 better, 1 worse1 better, 1 no verdict

What was delivered

Housing: What was delivered
Measure	Latest	In a year	Long run (5 years, since 2019, or the longest available)	Target or benchmark	Who decides, and the source
New homes vs targetCity of Victoria	2,359 net new homesOct 2023 to Sep 2025	Ahead of target+882 in year 2		Target to date 1,425934 ahead	ProvinceCity reports: check this number
Large-building permitsCity of Victoria	160 days, medianPermits issued in 2025	Worse+42.9%	Worse+68.4% in 6 yrs	No target found	City CouncilCity data: check this number
Homes started, CityCity of Victoria	5,807 in 5 yearsCalendar years 2021 to 2025	Better+235.5%	–	Need estimate only	City CouncilBC Stats: check this number
Under constructionGreater Victoria	8,866 homesto Sep 2026	Better+6.8%	Better+79.5% in 5 yrs	No target expected	13 councilsCMHC: check this number
New homes approvedCity of Victoria	1,124 in 12 monthsto Aug 2026	Mixed+17.3%	Worse−22.5% in 5 yrs	Related target only	City CouncilBC Stats: check this number
Below-market homesCity of Victoria	195 net new, year 2Oct 2024 to Sep 2025	Rising+16.1%	–	Related guideline only	ProvinceCity reports: check this number
Housing startsGreater Victoria	4,060 in 12 monthsto Sep 2026	Worse−17.0%	Worse−6.7% in 5 yrs	Related target only	13 councilsCMHC: check this number
Homes completedGreater Victoria	55 per 100 residents added2021 to 2025	Better+7.8%	Better+48.6% in 6 yrs	Related target only	13 councilsCMHC: check this number
Vacancy rateGreater Victoria	3.3% of rentalsOct 2025	Better+0.7 pt	Better+2.3 pt in 6 yrs	B.C. planning benchmark 3%0.3 pts above	13 councilsCMHC: check this number

Homelessness and drugs4 measures0 measures0 measures0 measures4 measures0 measures0 measures1 worse, 1 same, 1 no verdict, 1 mixed or not comparable1 worse, 1 same, 1 no verdict, 1 mixed or not comparable

What was delivered

Homelessness and drugs: What was delivered
Measure	Latest	In a year	Long run (5 years, since 2019, or the longest available)	Target or benchmark	Who decides, and the source
HomelessnessCapital Region	2,531 people2024	Worse+5.9%	Worse+30.3% in 5 yrs	No target found	ProvinceBC Stats: check this number
Toxic drug deathsSouth Vancouver Island	124 in 12 monthsto Sep 2026	About the same−0.8%	Better−10.1% in 5 yrs	No target found	ProvinceBC Coroners: check this number
One-night countGreater Victoria (CMA), without reserve lands	1,749 people, at leastMar 2025	Not comparablenot comparable	–	No target found	ProvinceCRD: check this number

Background

Homelessness and drugs: Background
Measure	Latest	In a year	Long run (5 years, since 2019, or the longest available)	Trend	Target or benchmark	Who decides, and the source
Shelter shareCity of Victoria	86% of region’s unitsMar 2025	Steady+0.1 pt	–		No target expected	ProvinceBC Stats: check this number

Safety10 measures7 measures0 measures0 measures0 measures3 measures0 measures2 worse, 3 same, 4 no verdict, 1 mixed or not comparable1 worse, 1 same, 4 no verdict, 1 mixed or not comparable1 worse, 2 same

What was spent or decided

Safety: What was spent or decided
Measure	Latest	In a year	Long run (5 years, since 2019, or the longest available)	Trend	Target or benchmark	Who decides, and the source
Police officersVictoria and Esquimalt police area	253 officers2025	Steady	Rising+11.5% in 4 yrs		Authorized strength 2607 positions unfilled	Police boardStatistics Canada: check this number
Police costVictoria and Esquimalt police area	$632 per resident2024	Rising+5.7%	–		No target expectedB.C. municipal police $521	Police boardB.C. Public Safety: check this number

What was delivered

Safety: What was delivered
Measure	Latest	In a year	Long run (5 years, since 2019, or the longest available)	Target or benchmark	Who decides, and the source
Police-reported crimeGreater Victoria	74.6 severity index2025	About the same+4.8%	About the same+1.2% in 6 yrs	No target foundB.C. 92.4	FederalStatistics Canada: check this number
Crimes by typeGreater Victoria	5,588 per 100,0002025	Worse+5.8%	Better−14.6% in 6 yrs	No target found	FederalStatistics Canada: check this number
Police callsVictoria and Esquimalt police area	54,994 in 12 monthsto Sep 2026	Rising+7.0%	Rising+6.1% in 5 yrs	No target expected	Police boardVicPD: check this number
Police satisfactionCity of Victoria	79% very or somewhat satisfied2024	About the same−2.0 pt	Worse−8.0 pt* in 4 yrs	No target found	Police boardVicPD: check this number
Crimes solvedGreater Victoria	26.6% weighted2025	About the same−4.2%	About the same+2.6% in 6 yrs	No target foundB.C. 23.0%	FederalStatistics Canada: check this number
CrimeCity of Victoria	161.2 severity index2025	Worse+5.9%	About the same−0.9%* in 5 yrs	No target foundB.C. 92.4	Police boardStatistics Canada: check this number
Fire dept. incidentsCity of Victoria	11,767 a year2025	No label yet	–	No target expected	City CouncilCity data: check this number
Bylaw callsCity of Victoria	10,675 a year2025	Rising+12.2%	–	No target expected	City CouncilCity data: check this number

Business and jobs8 measures2 measures0 measures0 measures1 measure0 measures5 measures1 better, 1 worse, 5 same, 1 no verdict1 better, 1 same1 no verdict1 worse, 4 same

What was delivered

Business and jobs: What was delivered
Measure	Latest	In a year	Long run (5 years, since 2019, or the longest available)	Target or benchmark	Who decides, and the source
Employment rateGreater Victoria	61.4% 15 and overto Oct 2026	About the same−2.0 pt	About the same+2.3 pt in 5 yrs	No target foundB.C. 60.7%	No one directlyStatistics Canada: check this number
Downtown permitsDowntown	79 in 12 monthsto Nov 2026	Better+46.3%	About the same+3.9% in 5 yrs	No target expected	City CouncilCity data: check this number
Family incomeGreater Victoria	$121,850 median, 2023	About the same+3.1%	Better+5.4% in 5 yrs	No target found	No one directlyStatistics Canada: check this number
Downtown foot trafficDowntown	1.64M passesApr–Jun 2026	Worse−11.5%	–	No target expected	No one directlyCity data: check this number
Business licencesCity of Victoria	7,215 issuedApr–Jun 2026	About the same+3.0%	–	No target expected	City CouncilCity data: check this number
Businesses operatingGreater Victoria	11,394 businessesJul 2026	About the same+0.5%	About the same+3.9% in 5 yrs	No target found	No one directlyStatistics Canada: check this number
UnemploymentGreater Victoria	4.8% unemployedto Oct 2026	About the same+0.6 pt	Worse+0.5 pt in 5 yrs	No target foundB.C. 6.4%	No one directlyStatistics Canada: check this number

Background

Business and jobs: Background
Measure	Latest	In a year	Long run (5 years, since 2019, or the longest available)	Trend	Target or benchmark	Who decides, and the source
Income assistanceCapital Region	14,896 cases a monthto Jul 2026	Steady+4.0%	Rising+25.4% in 5 yrs		Related target only	ProvinceB.C. data: check this number

City finances8 measures8 measures0 measures0 measures0 measures0 measures0 measures8 no verdict8 no verdict

What was spent or decided

City finances: What was spent or decided
Measure	Latest	In a year	Long run (5 years, since 2019, or the longest available)	Target or benchmark	Who decides, and the source
Property taxCity of Victoria	$4,557 in 2026	Rising+12.1%	Rising+65.3%* in 6 yrs	No target found	City CouncilB.C., StatCan: check this number
Tax increase adoptedCity of Victoria	9.34% residentialTax year 2026	Rising+1.2 pt	–	No target found	City CouncilCity data: check this number
City spending after inflationCity of Victoria	+22.5% per resident, since 2021Calendar years 2021 to 2025	Rising+22.5%	–	No target found	City CouncilCity, StatCan: check this number
City net debtCity of Victoria	$567 per residentDec 2025	Rising+32.8%	Falling−8.3% in 4 yrs	Related target only	City CouncilCity data: check this number
City reservesCity of Victoria	$316M at year endDec 2025	Rising+6.5%	Rising+9.1% in 4 yrs	No target found	City CouncilCity data: check this number

What was delivered

City finances: What was delivered
Measure	Latest	In a year	Long run (5 years, since 2019, or the longest available)	Trend	Target or benchmark	Who decides, and the source
Capital done vs planCity of Victoria	39% % of plan2025	Falling−11.3 pt	–		No target found	City CouncilCity data: check this number

Background

City finances: Background
Measure	Latest	In a year	Long run (5 years, since 2019, or the longest available)	Trend	Target or benchmark	Who decides, and the source
Business to home rateCity of Victoria	3.40 times the home rateTax year 2026	Steady−2.8%	Steady+2.1% in 5 yrs		Target 3.40met	City CouncilCity data: check this number
Tax per $1,000City of Victoria	$3.72 house valueTax year 2026	Rising+10.3%	–		No target expected	City CouncilB.C. data: check this number

Schools2 measures0 measures0 measures2 measures0 measures0 measures0 measures1 worse, 1 same1 worse, 1 same

What was delivered

Schools: What was delivered
Measure	Latest	In a year	Long run (5 years, since 2019, or the longest available)	Trend	Target or benchmark	Who decides, and the source
Finishing high schoolSchool districts 61 to 63	91.1% within 6 yearsSchool year 2024/25	About the same+0.9 pt	Better+4.8 pt in 5 yrs		Related target onlyB.C. 92.5%	School boardsB.C. data: check this number
Grade 7 numeracySchool districts 61 to 63	50.9% of writersSchool year 2025/26	Worse−3.8 pt	Not comparable4 yrs		No target foundB.C. 55.2%	School boardsB.C. data: check this number

Getting around2 measures0 measures2 measures0 measures0 measures0 measures0 measures1 worse, 1 same1 worse, 1 same

What was delivered

Getting around: What was delivered
Measure	Latest	In a year	Long run (5 years, since 2019, or the longest available)	Trend	Target or benchmark	Who decides, and the source
Buses on timeTransit system	72.4% of tripsApr 2026 to Jul 2026	Just under target+1.9 pt			Target 72.5%0.1 pts below	Transit commissionBC Transit: check this number
Transit tripsTransit system	25.6 million in 12 monthsto Aug 2026	About the same+4.0%	About the same+2.0% in 2 yrs		Related target only	Transit commissionBC Transit: check this number

Environment2 measures1 measure1 measure0 measures0 measures0 measures0 measures2 worse1 worse1 worse

What was delivered

Environment: What was delivered
Measure	Latest	In a year	Long run (5 years, since 2019, or the longest available)	Trend	Target or benchmark	Who decides, and the source
Greenhouse gasesCity of Victoria	−31% since 2007Inventory year 2023	Behind target			Target −50% by 2030behind	City CouncilCity data: check this number
Garbage per personCapital Region	330 kg a year2025	Behind target−8 kg			Target 25080 kg over	Regional boardCRD: check this number

City government and residents2 measures0 measures0 measures0 measures0 measures0 measures2 measures1 better, 1 no verdict1 better, 1 no verdict

What was delivered

City government and residents: What was delivered
Measure	Latest	In a year	Long run (5 years, since 2019, or the longest available)	Trend	Target or benchmark	Who decides, and the source
Voter turnoutCity of Victoria	41.4% of registered2026 general local election	Better	–		No target expected	No one directlyCity data: check this number

Background

City government and residents: Background
Measure	Latest	In a year	Long run (5 years, since 2019, or the longest available)	Trend	Target or benchmark	Who decides, and the source
Greater Victoria populationGreater Victoria	445,090 residentsJul 2025	Steady+0.7%	Rising+10.2% in 6 yrs		No target expected	No one directlyStatistics Canada: check this number

What is missing

What this site can’t tell you yet, and who could change that.

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Latest updates

Nov 9Large-building permits City of Victoria
Nov 9Downtown permits City of Victoria
Nov 6Unemployment Statistics Canada
Nov 6Employment rate Statistics Canada
Nov 2Shelter share BC Housing and BC Stats

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