Is Burnaby a Good Place to Live Compared to Vancouver?

Are you wondering whether Burnaby is a good place to live compared to Vancouver? Whether you’re considering renting, buying a home, or simply curious, this comparison will give you the full scoop—based on real data, local experience, and practical insight from 30 years living in Greater Vancouver.

Quick Overview: Burnaby vs Vancouver

Feature	Burnaby	Vancouver
Average Home Value	~$1.4M (detached), ~$800K (condo)	~$1.9M (detached), ~$775K (condo)
Transit Access	Excellent—Millennium & Expo Lines throughout	Excellent—including Canada Line to YVR
Schools	Highly rated (Burnaby SD 41)	Top-tier (Vancouver SD 39)
Parks & Green Space	Central Park, Burnaby Mountain, Deer Lake	Stanley Park, Queen Elizabeth Park
Walkability (WalkScore)	70–85 (town centres)	85–98 (downtown, Kits, Mount Pleasant)
Cost of Living	Approximately 15% lower housing costs	Higher due to central location premium

Why Choose Burnaby?

1. Better Value Per Square Foot

Burnaby offers more housing for your money. Condos and townhomes median around ~$800K and detached homes average ~$1.4M. In contrast, Vancouver condos average ~$775K but detached homes exceed $1.9M. That means many Burnaby neighborhoods—like Brentwood, Edmonds, and Metrotown—deliver comparable amenities at a lower price.

2. Transit Access Across the City

Burnaby is well-served by the Millennium and Expo SkyTrain Lines. Mt. Pleasant, Brentwood, Metrotown, and Edmonds all have stations for affordable, car-free access to Downtown Vancouver. According to a TransLink report, areas near SkyTrain lines consistently outperform on resale value and rental demand.

3. Schools and Family Lifestyle

Burnaby boasts several high-performing elementary and secondary schools within School District 41. In contrast, Vancouver’s SD 39 is top-ranked citywide, but both offer excellent educational infrastructure. Burnaby also has dense suburban pockets with great amenities—like Brentwood’s newly expanded library and parks built into townhome developments.

4. Green Spaces & Recreation

Yes, Vancouver’s Stanley Park is iconic—but Burnaby offers huge green open space too. Spinglake Park trail network, Deer Lake Park, and Burnaby Mountain are local favorites for hiking, family walks, and gorgeous city views.

There’s also great relaxation places such the one below that I go to regularly in Brentwood for RMT massage!

5. Walkability Where It Counts

Areas like Metrotown, Brentwood Town Centre, and Brentwood Park achieve WalkScores of 80+, rivaling Vancouver neighbourhoods—but often with lower foot traffic. Residents enjoy groceries, cafés, transit, and retail all within walking distance, especially in high-density corridors.

Considerations When Choosing

1. Downtown Experience

Vancouver offers the dense, walkable downtown lifestyle—day and night—where everything is within walking distance: shops, entertainment, and transit. Burnaby’s closest equivalent is Metrotown, which is busy and growing—but still feels more suburban.

2. Cultural Scenes

Vancouver neighborhoods like Mount Pleasant, Commercial Drive, and Gastown offer diverse cultural and nightlife scenes. Burnaby has pockets of culture—like the eclectic Metrotown Plaza—but for nightlife, festivals, or boutique shopping, Vancouver leads.

3. Price Stretch at the East Edge

If you’re moving further east in Burnaby toward Lougheed or Deer Lake Park, prices can still stretch toward Vancouver levels. The sweet spots are closer to transit nodes and community centres like Brentwood or Edmonds.

Local Voices on Living in Burnaby

“I originally thought Vancouver was the only place I could raise a family. But Burnaby’s parks and access to schools have really changed our mind.” — Longtime resident, Brentwood

“I do my commute to downtown daily via SkyTrain and save over $1,000 per month in rent compared to downtown Vancouver.” — Burnaby renter, Metrotown

When Vancouver Still Wins

• Proximity to downtown: Living steps from Yaletown or Coal Harbour appeals to career professionals.
  
• Walkable lifestyle: Areas like Kitsilano or Mount Pleasant offer unmatched walkability and culture.
  
• Prestige neighborhoods: West Vancouver, Shaughnessy, and Kitsilano carry location-based prestige not found in Burnaby.
  

Final Thoughts

Burnaby is a strong alternative to Vancouver—especially for buyers seeking value, walkable transit corridors, and community-focused lifestyle. If you’re weighing Burnaby vs Vancouver, think through your priorities:

• You favor lower housing cost with transit access? Burnaby.
  
• You want vibrant nightlife, boutique culture, and dense walkability? Vancouver.
  

At Vancouver Home Hub, we help match your priorities to real-world neighborhoods and timelines. Reach out for customized listings or neighborhood deep dives—and stay tuned for more local guides covering all of Metro Vancouver.

Read more:

The Rise of Co-Living Spaces in Vancouver: Pros and Cons

The Role of Technology in Vancouver Real Estate: Virtual Tours and Smart Homes

Do You Really Need a Realtor to Buy a Home in Vancouver?

How Foreign Buyer Tax and Speculation Tax Affect Vancouver Real Estate

Renting vs Buying in Vancouver: Which Is Better in 2025?