Between the ground floor of an old building and the fifth floor of a secure residence, the risk of burglary is not evenly distributed. The available data allows us to measure the actual gap between the levels of a building and to identify what, beyond the simple floor number, determines the vulnerability of an apartment to intrusions.
Ground floor and first floor: data by level of vulnerability
Recent analyses confirm a clear hierarchy. The ground floor accounts for the largest share of apartment burglaries, followed by the first floor. Beyond the second floor, the frequency of break-ins decreases significantly.
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| Floor | Risk Level | Main Factor |
|---|---|---|
| Ground floor | Very high | Direct access from the street or a garden |
| 1st floor | High | Easy climbing, accessible balconies |
| 2nd floor | Moderate | Access still possible via gutters or facades |
| 3rd floor and above | Low (except exceptions) | Dissuading height, increased physical effort |
The first floor is increasingly identified as an underestimated target. Occupants of this level often feel protected compared to the ground floor, while climbing half a level remains trivial for an experienced burglar.
The apartment burglary statistics by floor show that proximity to the ground remains the determining criterion, much more so than the size of the housing or the neighborhood considered in isolation.
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Real accessibility of the housing: the factor that weighs more than the floor number
Reducing the risk to just the floor number would be a mistake. The concrete accessibility of the apartment takes precedence over its height in the building. A unit located on the fourth floor but connected to an open underground parking lot, or served by an exterior walkway that is poorly monitored, can present a risk comparable to that of a ground floor.
Several configurations increase the exposure of an apartment located higher up:
- Access through an underground parking lot with an unsecured door, allowing direct access to the upper floors without passing through the lobby
- Adjacent balconies between apartments, facilitating lateral movement from one unit to another once initial access is obtained
- Temporary scaffolding or facade work, which provides an unusual climbing route for several weeks
- A staircase accessible without a digicode or intercom, making all landings vulnerable regardless of height
Conversely, a ground floor protected by bars on the windows, a reinforced door, and a video surveillance system may be less exposed than a second floor in a building without access control.
Apartment or house: why the comparison sheds light on risk by floor
Single-family homes remain the most frequent targets for burglars. According to ONDRP and INSEE, 3.6% of households in houses report a burglary attempt, compared to 2.9% for households in apartments. This gap of 0.7 points is explained by the multitude of entry points in a house (doors, windows, garage, garden).
For apartments, this comparison highlights a often overlooked point: ground floor apartments accumulate the disadvantages of both types of housing. They offer as direct access as a house, while often being less equipped with security devices, as condominiums share responsibility for common areas.
A large home (over 150 m²) also presents an increased risk, as the size of the housing is perceived by burglars as an indicator of the value of goods to steal. In apartments, this logic mainly applies to ground floors and first floors of Haussmannian buildings or residences with terraces.
The issue of visual spotting from the street
Lower floors are also the most exposed to spotting. A burglar can observe from the sidewalk whether a unit appears unoccupied: closed shutters during the day, a full mailbox, absence of light in the evening. These visual clues are much harder to gather for an apartment located above the third floor.
Seasonality and vulnerable floors: a risky combination in summer
The months of July and August record the highest number of burglaries in France. This seasonality amplifies the risk for already exposed floors. A ground floor left vacant for three weeks during summer holidays combines two aggravating factors: physical accessibility and prolonged absence of occupants.
Approximately 212,000 burglaries were recorded in 2025 according to SSMSI data, a volume that remains high despite a long-term downward trend. Apartments on lower floors, in dense urban areas (Île-de-France, Rhône-Alpes, PACA), account for a disproportionate share of these figures during the summer period.
Reducing risk according to your floor
For a ground floor or first floor occupant, the priority is on physically reinforcing access: multi-point locks, discreet bars on windows facing the courtyard, programmable roller shutters simulating occupancy. Connected alarm systems with motion detection add a measurable layer of deterrence, as the majority of burglars abandon their attempt in the face of a sound device.
For upper floors, vigilance focuses on shared access: securing the underground parking lot, ensuring the digicode works properly, lighting common areas. A building with properly functioning access control protects all its occupants, regardless of their floor.
The floor number provides a reliable statistical indication, but it is the entire access system to the housing that determines the real risk. An apartment on the fifth floor of a poorly secured building remains more exposed than a well-protected ground floor.