Vancouver vs Burnaby vs New Westminster for Renters

For renters choosing between Vancouver, Burnaby and New Westminster, the trade-off is mostly price against location. Vancouver has the widest choice and the highest rents; Burnaby offers high-rise rentals in four SkyTrain town centres, usually for less; New Westminster is the most compact, with older rental buildings, five SkyTrain stations and often the lowest rents of the three. All three are on SkyTrain, so a car is optional in much of each city.

At a Glance

	Vancouver	Burnaby	New Westminster
Population (2021 Census)	About 662,000	About 249,000	About 79,000
Typical rentals	Older towers, low-rises, suites in houses, new rental buildings	High-rise towers in Metrotown, Brentwood, Edmonds and Lougheed; suites in North Burnaby	Older rental towers and low-rises, newer condos at the Quay and Sapperton
Relative rent	Highest	Usually lower than comparable Vancouver units	Often the lowest of the three
SkyTrain	Expo, Millennium and Canada lines	Expo and Millennium lines	Expo and Millennium lines, five stations
Feel	The most choice of neighbourhoods and amenities	Malls, parks and new town centres	Compact, historic, hilly, with a riverfront

Vancouver

Choose Vancouver if location matters most: walking to work downtown, a particular neighbourhood, or the widest choice of places to live. The West End and older East Vancouver rentals are often better value than new buildings downtown. See Vancouver movers.

Burnaby

Choose Burnaby for a modern apartment near SkyTrain at a lower rent than a comparable unit in Vancouver. Metrotown is the densest, Brentwood the newest, and Edmonds and Lougheed are often better value. Expect booked elevators and strata rules in the towers. See Burnaby movers.

New Westminster

Choose New Westminster for value and transit: older rental buildings, five SkyTrain stations, and a compact city where many errands are walkable. The trade-offs are steep streets downtown and older buildings with smaller elevators. See New Westminster movers.

How to Decide

1. Map your commute from each candidate home to work or school, by SkyTrain.
2. Compare total costs: rent plus utilities, parking and transit. See the real cost of renting.
3. Visit at rush hour to see the walk to the station and the noise level.
4. Check what’s included: heat and hot water are often included in older buildings.

Current asking rents change month to month, so check listings and CMHC’s latest rental market report for each city before you budget.

Sources

• Statistics Canada — 2021 Census of Population profiles for Vancouver, Burnaby and New Westminster (statcan.gc.ca), 2026
• CMHC — 2025 Rental Market Report, Vancouver CMA by zone (cmhc-schl.gc.ca), 2026
• TransLink — SkyTrain lines and stations (translink.ca), 2026

Related guides

• Renting in Burnaby: What to Expect
• Living in New Westminster: Housing, Rent, and the Commute
• Is Living Near SkyTrain Worth Paying More Rent?
• How Much Rent Can You Afford in Vancouver on $60K-$100K?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Burnaby cheaper than Vancouver to rent?

Usually, for a comparable unit, while staying on SkyTrain. New towers in Metrotown and Brentwood narrow the gap.

Is New Westminster cheaper than Burnaby?

Often, especially in older rental buildings, though prices vary by building and neighbourhood.

Which city is best for living without a car?

All three work well near SkyTrain. New Westminster is the most compact; Vancouver has the most walkable neighbourhoods.

How many SkyTrain stations does New Westminster have?

Five: 22nd Street, New Westminster, Columbia, Sapperton and Braid.

Where can I find current rents for each city?

Check current listings and CMHC’s rental market report, which breaks down rents by zone in Metro Vancouver.

Can Tingsapp move me between these cities?

Yes. All three are featured Tingsapp cities, with fixed upfront prices and bookings from the next day.