The short answer: New Westminster is the more affordable of the two, with a lower typical price in every category, a compact walkable layout, and five SkyTrain stations. Burnaby is larger and pricier, with bigger shopping centres, two universities, and more green space. Both are central, transit-connected cities between Vancouver and the Fraser Valley. Here's how they compare using Greater Vancouver Realtors' September 2026 benchmarks.
Price: Burnaby vs New Westminster
| Benchmark (Sept 2026) | Burnaby North | Burnaby South | Burnaby East | New Westminster |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All home types | $877,100 | $972,800 | $982,400 | $719,600 |
| Detached | $1,808,500 | $1,894,600 | $1,694,900 | $1,356,900 |
| Townhome | $880,400 | $942,100 | $857,900 | $854,200 |
| Apartment / condo | $662,400 | $723,000 | $708,100 | $579,900 |
New Westminster's typical condo came in at $579,900, between about $82,000 and $143,000 below Burnaby's three areas. The gap is even larger for detached homes.
How Do Burnaby and New Westminster Feel Different?
Burnaby sits at the geographic centre of Metro Vancouver. It ranges from the high-rise town centres of Metrotown and Brentwood to quiet, tree-lined family streets, and it's home to Simon Fraser University and BCIT. Green space is a real strength: Central Park, Deer Lake, Burnaby Lake, and Burnaby Mountain.
New Westminster is BC's original capital: compact, historic, and on the Fraser River. Uptown has a modern mix of towers, shops, and restaurants; Columbia Street is the heritage downtown; and Sapperton is anchored by Royal Columbian Hospital. Douglas College is here too.
Which Has Better SkyTrain Access?
Both cities are well served by SkyTrain. Burnaby has stations on the Expo and Millennium Lines, including Metrotown, Brentwood, and Lougheed. New Westminster has five SkyTrain stations across the Expo and Millennium Lines, unusually good coverage for a city its size.
Which School Districts Serve Burnaby and New Westminster?
Burnaby is served by School District 41, including Burnaby South Secondary with its IB Diploma Programme and French Immersion. New Westminster is served by School District 40. Catchments are set by address in both, so confirm a specific home's schools with the district.
Which One Fits You?
- Best value close to Vancouver: New Westminster, especially for condos.
- Big-mall convenience and newer towers: Burnaby's Metrotown and Brentwood.
- Family home with parks nearby: North Burnaby or the neighbourhoods around Deer Lake.
- Walkable heritage character: New Westminster's Queens Park and downtown areas.
Source: Greater Vancouver Realtors, September 2026 MLS® Home Price Index.