Is Summerside Safe, Pros and cons of living in Summerside

Summerside, Prince Edward Island’s second-largest city, offers a unique blend of small-town charm and growing opportunity. It serves as a vital service center for the western part of the island, attracting residents with its coastal lifestyle and practical amenities. The city’s motto, “Small city. Big opportunity,” hints at its potential for those seeking a balanced life.

The community has a history rooted in shipbuilding and the fur trade, evolving into a modern city with a diverse economic base. Summerside’s strategic location and supportive business environment make it an appealing destination for both individuals and companies. This profile explores what it’s like to live in Summerside, covering safety, lifestyle, and economic factors.

Is it Safe to Live in Summerside?

Crime Rates

Summerside’s crime rates are a point of consideration for potential residents. Overall crime rates in Summerside are reported to be 76% higher than the national average (according to AreaVibes). This includes a 52% increase in violent crimes and an 84% increase in property crimes compared to national averages (according to AreaVibes).

These statistics suggest that while Summerside is safer than only 30% of US cities (according to AreaVibes), the rate of crime has seen an increase, with year-over-year crime reportedly rising by 7% (according to AreaVibes). A report from 2010 indicated that crime rates had increased between 1997 and 2007, a trend that differed from other parts of Prince Edward Island (according to CBC News). It was also noted that a small percentage of the population was responsible for a large majority of the crime (according to CBC News).

Community Safety Initiatives

Community safety and crime prevention have been areas of focus, with reports recommending citizen engagement to enhance safety (according to CBC News). Addressing issues such as vacant properties, which could potentially be used for illicit activities, has also been suggested as a means to improve community safety (according to CBC News).

While specific recent crime statistics for Summerside are not readily available from sources like the FBI, the data available points to higher-than-average crime rates. Residents and local authorities have been encouraged to take a leading role in crime prevention efforts (according to CBC News).

Cost of Living

Housing Expenses

The cost of living in Summerside is generally considered lower than in many other parts of Canada, with housing being a significant factor in this affordability (according to Point2Homes). The average monthly cost for rental housing in Summerside is approximately $1,804, while the average monthly cost for owned housing is around $1,652 (according to CareerBeacon). Housing in Summerside is reported to be 20% lower than the national average (according to AreaVibes).

The median home price in Summerside saw a substantial increase of 35.9% in the third quarter of 2021 compared to the previous year, reaching a median price of $312,500 (according to CBC News). More recently, the average home price in Prince Edward Island is around $422,667, with Summerside often being more affordable than areas like Charlottetown (according to PEI Home Prices). Listings in Summerside show a range of prices, with some homes available for under $300,000, such as a 3-bedroom home on Foundry Street for $249,500 (according to Zolo.ca).

Daily Expenses

Beyond housing, other daily expenses contribute to the overall cost of living. A single person renting in Summerside can expect an average monthly cost of living of approximately $3,702 (according to CareerBeacon). This figure includes costs for transportation, groceries, and entertainment.

Monthly expenses can include around $465 for groceries, $146 for utilities, and $130 for leisure and entertainment (according to CareerBeacon). Transportation costs can vary, with public transit averaging about $221 per month and driving costs estimated at $666 per month (according to CareerBeacon).

Job Market and Economy

Major Employers

Summerside’s economy is supported by several key employers and growing industries. The Summerside Tax Centre, a federal government agency, is a significant employer within the city (according to Wikipedia). Cavendish Farms, a major food processing company, operates large plants in the nearby community of New Annan and is Prince Edward Island’s largest private sector employer (according to Wikipedia).

Other notable employers include Amalgamated Dairies Limited (according to Wikipedia). The Slemon Park area also hosts aerospace companies like StandardAero and Honeywell, contributing to the city’s diverse industrial base (according to Wikipedia). The city has actively worked to attract new businesses since the closure of CFB Summerside (according to Wikipedia).

Salary and Employment Trends

The average yearly salary in Summerside is approximately $43,000, which is about 21% lower than the Canadian average salary of $54,450 (according to CareerBeacon). The average household income in Summerside is reported to be $78,200 (according to CareerBeacon). With an average salary of $43,000, a person would take home roughly $35,580 annually after taxes (according to CareerBeacon).

The unemployment rate in Prince Edward Island was 8.0% as of April 2026 (according to Government of Prince Edward Island). Summerside’s workforce is well-educated, with over 70% of the population holding a high school diploma or higher (according to Living and Working in Summerside). The city is home to a skilled labor pool with low turnover rates, making it an asset to businesses across various sectors (according to Living and Working in Summerside).

Climate

Temperature Averages

Summerside experiences a humid continental climate with warm summers and cold, snowy winters, moderated somewhat by its maritime location (according to Wikipedia). The average daily high temperature during the summer months, from June to September, hovers around 65°F (according to WorldWeatherOnline). July is typically the hottest month, with average high temperatures around 73°F and lows of 60°F (according to WorldWeatherOnline).

Winter brings freezing temperatures, with the coldest month being January, where average daily high temperatures are around 26°F and average lows are 13°F (according to WorldWeatherOnline). The temperature typically ranges from 11°F to 74°F throughout the year, rarely dropping below -3°F or exceeding 81°F (according to WorldWeatherOnline).

Precipitation

Precipitation in Summerside occurs throughout the year, with distinct seasonal patterns. The month with the most rainfall is typically October, with an average of 3.2 inches (according to WorldWeatherOnline). Conversely, February sees the least amount of rain, averaging about 0.8 inches (according to WorldWeatherOnline).

Summerside experiences relatively consistent daily precipitation frequencies, ranging from 25% to 33% (according to Wikipedia). Rain is the most common form of precipitation for about 9.1 months of the year, from mid-March to late December (according to Wikipedia). Snowfall is a significant feature of the winter months.

Education

School System Overview

Summerside is served by a public school system with several elementary, intermediate, and high schools. There are approximately seven public schools in Summerside (according to AreaVibes). A recent report recommended significant changes to the school system, including the construction of a new middle school and the potential closure of the historic Parkside Elementary School (according to SaltWire).

The Public Schools Branch has identified projected population growth that will place pressure on current facilities, particularly Athena, Elm Street, and Greenfield schools, as well as Summerside Intermediate (according to SaltWire). This indicates a need for expansion and adaptation within the educational infrastructure.

School Performance and Demographics

While specific school ratings are not detailed by sources like Niche, AreaVibes notes that school test scores in Summerside are comparable to the national average (according to AreaVibes). Educational attainment in Summerside shows that 79.4% of residents have completed high school, with 15.2% holding a bachelor’s degree (according to AreaVibes).

For families considering a move, discussions on platforms like Reddit suggest that Summerside’s elementary schools are considered equivalent, and students typically feed into Three Oaks Senior High School for grades 10 and beyond (according to Reddit). Athena Consolidated School offers a K-9 program and is noted for its single-level design, which can be beneficial for students with disabilities (according to Reddit).

Demographics

Population and Age Distribution

As of the 2021 Census, Summerside had a population of 16,001 residents (according to Wikipedia). The city’s population has seen a modest increase of 7.8% since 2016 (according to Wikipedia). The population density is approximately 567.2 people per square kilometer (according to Wikipedia).

The age distribution shows a significant portion of the population in older age brackets, with 24.3% of residents being over 64 years old (according to Point2Homes). The average age in Summerside is 44.9 years (according to Point2Homes). Younger demographics include 14.4% under 15 and 12.2% between 15 and 24 years old (according to Point2Homes).

Languages and Households

English is the predominant language spoken in Summerside, with 96% of residents identifying it as their primary language (according to Point2Homes). French is spoken by 3.6% of the population, with a small percentage being bilingual or speaking other languages (according to Point2Homes).

Summerside consists of approximately 7,090 households, with an average of 2.2 people per household (according to Wikipedia). One-person households make up 33.6% of the total, while 37.6% of homes are shared by two people (according to Point2Homes).

Pros and Cons of Living in Summerside

Pros

Summerside offers a more affordable cost of living compared to many larger Canadian cities, particularly in housing (according to AreaVibes). The city provides a slower pace of life and a strong sense of community, making it attractive to those seeking a more relaxed lifestyle (according to Point2Homes). Its coastal location and natural beauty contribute to a desirable living environment (according to Point2Homes).

The job market is supported by diverse industries, including manufacturing, aerospace, and IT, with a skilled and loyal workforce available (according to Living and Working in Summerside). The city also boasts robust infrastructure, including municipally owned utilities, and a supportive business environment with various incentives (according to Bigpossibilities.ca).

Cons

Crime rates in Summerside are higher than the national average, which is a concern for some residents (according to AreaVibes). While salaries are generally lower than the Canadian average, the cost of living can offset this to some extent (according to CareerBeacon).

The population has not experienced significant growth in recent years, and there is a notable proportion of older residents, which may impact future labor force dynamics (according to RDEE IPE). Some reports suggest that crime rates have increased in Summerside over certain periods, contrasting with trends in other parts of the province (according to CBC News).