Average Rent in Burnaby by Neighborhood ( Map Areas)
Quick answer: As of early 2025, average one-bedroom rents in Burnaby range from CAD 1,600–2,600 depending on the neighborhood. Brentwood and Metrotown are the most expensive (CAD 2,200–2,600), while SFU/Lake City and Government Road are the most affordable (CAD 1,600–1,900). The citywide vacancy rate is extremely low at ~1.0%, making advance preparation essential.
1. Real Cost — Average Rent by Neighborhood
Rents in Burnaby vary significantly by map area. The table below shows average monthly rents (CAD) for studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom units in Q1 2025, based on data from Zumper, Rentals.ca, and CMHC.
| Neighborhood (Map Area) | Studio | 1-Bedroom | 2-Bedroom | Trend (YoY) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brentwood | CAD 1,950 | CAD 2,450 | CAD 3,100 | +7.2% |
| Metrotown | CAD 1,900 | CAD 2,400 | CAD 3,050 | +6.8% |
| Lougheed | CAD 1,750 | CAD 2,150 | CAD 2,800 | +5.5% |
| Edmonds | CAD 1,600 | CAD 2,000 | CAD 2,600 | +4.9% |
| Burnaby Heights | CAD 1,550 | CAD 1,950 | CAD 2,550 | +4.2% |
| Capitol Hill | CAD 1,500 | CAD 1,850 | CAD 2,400 | +3.8% |
| South Slope | CAD 1,600 | CAD 2,050 | CAD 2,650 | +5.0% |
| Big Bend | CAD 1,450 | CAD 1,850 | CAD 2,350 | +3.5% |
| SFU / Lake City | CAD 1,350 | CAD 1,700 | CAD 2,150 | +2.8% |
| Government Road / Cariboo | CAD 1,300 | CAD 1,650 | CAD 2,050 | +2.5% |
2. Best Areas for Different Needs
Choosing the right neighborhood depends on your priorities. Use this comparison to match your lifestyle.
- Best for young professionals & nightlife: Brentwood — high-rise condos, The Amazing Brentwood mall, restaurants, and SkyTrain.
- Best for families: Burnaby Heights (Hastings Street) — top-rated schools, parks, and quiet residential streets.
- Best for students: SFU / Lake City — affordable rents, direct bus to Simon Fraser University, and shared housing options.
- Best for transit commuters: Metrotown — SkyTrain (Expo Line), bus exchange, and walkable to Metropolis at Metrotown mall.
- Best for nature lovers: Capitol Hill — stunning views, deer Lake Park, and quiet tree-lined streets.
- Best for budget-conscious renters: Government Road / Cariboo — lowest rents in Burnaby, though fewer amenities.
- Best for growing families with cars: South Slope — larger apartments, garage parking, and close to Boundary Road shopping.
3. Step-by-Step Renting Process in Burnaby
Renting in Burnaby follows the B.C. Residential Tenancy Act. Here is the exact process, from search to move-in.
- Budget & criteria: Determine max rent (30% of gross income is standard). Prepare recent pay stubs, credit check consent, and references.
- Search platforms: Use Rentals.ca, PadMapper, Facebook Marketplace, and Kijiji. Set alerts for new listings.
- Viewings: Schedule within 24–48 hours of listing. Bring ID and proof of income. Ask about strata rules, parking, and utility inclusions.
- Application: Submit rental application, credit check authorization, and supporting documents. Landlords typically respond in 1–3 days.
- Deposit: Pay half a month's rent as security deposit (legal maximum under RTA s.19). Get a signed receipt.
- Lease signing: Review fixed-term vs. month-to-month. Ensure all move-in condition reports are completed and photographed.
- Move-in inspection: Complete the B.C. Government Condition Inspection Report (Form RTB-27) within 7 days.
4. Where to Go — Local Agencies & Resources
Several organizations help renters in Burnaby. Below are the key agencies and their roles.
| Agency | Service | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Burnaby Tenant Rights Action Group | Free tenant advocacy & education | [email protected] |
| Residential Tenancy Branch (RTB) | Dispute resolution & policy | gov.bc.ca/rtb |
| City of Burnaby — Building & Rental | Property standards & bylaw complaints | 604-294-3800 |
| BC Housing — Rental Assistance | Subsidies for low-income renters | bchousing.org |
| Legal Aid BC | Free legal advice for tenancy issues | legalaid.bc.ca |
5. Safety & Crime by Neighborhood
Burnaby has an overall low violent crime rate but moderate property crime. Based on Burnaby RCMP crime stats (2023–2024):
- Brentwood & Metrotown: Higher property crime (theft from vehicles, bike theft) due to density and transit traffic. Violent crime is rare.
- Burnaby Heights & Capitol Hill: Very low crime — among the safest neighborhoods in Metro Vancouver.
- Edmonds & Lougheed: Moderate property crime; some issues with vehicle break-ins near transit hubs.
- SFU / Lake City: Low crime but occasional disturbances related to student parties.
- Government Road / Cariboo: Rural feel with very low reported crime.
6. Vacancy Rate & Market Pressure
Burnaby's rental vacancy rate has been below 2% since 2021. According to CMHC Rental Market Report (Fall 2024):
- Citywide vacancy rate (purpose-built rentals): 1.0% (down from 1.3% in 2023).
- Condominium rentals: Estimated at 0.8% — even tighter.
- Brentwood / Metrotown: 0.7–0.9% — extremely competitive.
- SFU / Lake City: 1.5% — slightly more availability.
- Average days on market: 7–14 days for popular areas; 3–5 days for well-priced units.
7. Hospitals & Healthcare Access
Burnaby has one major hospital and several urgent care clinics. Proximity to healthcare can influence rental decisions for families and seniors.
- Burnaby Hospital — 3935 Kincaid St, Burnaby, BC V5G 2X6. 604-412-1100. Emergency department, maternity, surgical services.
- Brentwood Medical Clinic — 4567 Lougheed Hwy, Burnaby, BC V5C 3Z6. Walk-in and family practice.
- Metrotown Medical Clinic — 4800 Kingsway, Burnaby, BC V5H 4J2. Extended hours.
- BC Children's Hospital (Vancouver) — ~25 min from Burnaby via SkyTrain.
8. Major Roads & Transit Connections
Burnaby's layout is shaped by several arterial roads and SkyTrain corridors. Understanding these helps you evaluate commute times and walkability.
| Road / Corridor | Connects | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Kingsway (Hwy 99A) | Metrotown → Vancouver (east-west) | Busy arterial; heavy traffic at peak hours |
| Lougheed Hwy (Hwy 7) | Brentwood → Coquitlam | Key east-west corridor; SkyTrain parallel |
| Hastings Street | Burnaby Heights → Vancouver | Scenic; lower traffic; good for biking |
| Boundary Road | Burnaby-Vancouver border | North-south; connects to Hwy 1 |
| Canada Way | Metrotown → Burnaby Lake | Industrial and residential mix |
| Trans-Canada Hwy (Hwy 1) | Through north Burnaby | Fastest route for drivers; no transit access |
9. Rental Fines, Deposits & Legal Penalties
Under the B.C. Residential Tenancy Act, specific financial rules apply to Burnaby rentals. Know these to avoid unexpected charges.
- Security deposit: Maximum half-month's rent (RTA s.19). Landlord cannot ask for more.
- Late rent penalty: Landlords can only charge a late fee if specified in the lease — typically CAD 10–25 per day or a flat fee of CAD 50, but it must be reasonable.
- NSF cheque fee: Maximum CAD 25 (RTA s.27).
- Early lease break: Tenant owes the lesser of one month's rent or the actual loss incurred by the landlord. If the unit is re-rented quickly, the tenant's liability is reduced.
- Strata fines (for condos): If a renter violates strata bylaws, the landlord can pass the fine to the tenant if disclosed in the lease. Strata fines can reach CAD 200–500 per violation.
- Illegal charges: Key deposits, cleaning fees, or "move-in fees" are not allowed under the RTA. Tenants can dispute through RTB.
Source: B.C. Residential Tenancy Act — R.S.B.C. 2002, c. 78
10. Key Offices & Addresses
Important physical locations for renters in Burnaby:
| Office | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Burnaby City Hall | 4949 Canada Way, Burnaby, BC V5G 1M2 | 604-294-3800 |
| Residential Tenancy Branch (RTB) — Burnaby office | 400 – 5021 Kingsway, Burnaby, BC V5H 4A5 | 1-800-665-8779 |
| Burnaby RCMP (non-emergency) | 6350 Deer Lake Ave, Burnaby, BC V5G 2J2 | 604-646-3333 |
| BC Housing — Burnaby District Office | 303 – 5021 Kingsway, Burnaby, BC V5H 4A5 | 1-800-257-7997 |
11. Real Cases & Waiting Time Examples
Actual experiences from Burnaby renters (anonymized, shared with permission) illustrate the market reality.
- Case A — Metrotown (1BR, CAD 2,400): "Listed on a Monday at 9 am. I viewed at 11 am, submitted application by 1 pm. Landlord had 14 applications by 5 pm. I got it because I pre-paid the deposit and had a credit score of 720. Total time: 2 days from listing to offer." — March 2025
- Case B — Edmonds (2BR, CAD 2,600): "Applied to 6 units over 3 weeks. Two didn't respond, three said 'rented already', one offered me a different unit at CAD 2,800. I negotiated down to CAD 2,650 and moved in 6 weeks after starting my search." — January 2025
- Case C — SFU / Lake City (1BR, CAD 1,700): "Found a basement suite on FB Marketplace. Viewing was same day. The landlord wanted a 1-year lease and no pets. I signed within 3 days. No competition because it was a basement with low ceiling." — November 2024
- Case D — Brentwood (studio, CAD 1,950): "I offered 2 months' rent upfront and included a cover letter. Landlord chose me over 3 other applicants. Waiting time from search to move-in: 5 weeks." — February 2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average rent for a one-bedroom in Burnaby?
A. As of early 2025, the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Burnaby is approximately CAD 2,100–2,300 per month, ranging from about CAD 1,600 in the SFU/Lake City area to over CAD 2,500 in Brentwood and Metrotown.
Which neighborhood in Burnaby has the lowest rent?
A. The SFU / Lake City area and Government Road / Cariboo corridor generally offer the lowest rents in Burnaby, with one-bedroom units averaging CAD 1,600–1,900 per month.
How does Burnaby rent compare to Vancouver?
A. Burnaby rents are typically 15–25% lower than downtown Vancouver but have been rising faster due to population growth and new transit infrastructure.
What is the vacancy rate in Burnaby right now?
A. The vacancy rate in Burnaby remains very tight at around 0.9–1.2% as of late 2024/early 2025, making it one of the most competitive rental markets in Metro Vancouver.
Is Burnaby safe for renters?
A. Yes, Burnaby is generally safe. The overall crime rate is moderate, and violent crime is low. Areas like Brentwood and Metrotown have higher property crime, while neighborhoods like Burnaby Heights and Capitol Hill are very quiet.
How long does it take to find a rental in Burnaby?
A. On average, renters spend 2–5 weeks searching and applying to 5–10 units before securing a lease. Popular areas like Metrotown can move within 48 hours of listing.
What are the major rental agencies in Burnaby?
A. Major rental agencies include Hollyburn Properties, MetCap Living, Concert Properties, Realstar, and Boardwalk, along with the Burnaby Tenant Rights Action Group for advocacy.
What is the fine for breaking a lease in Burnaby?
A. Under the B.C. Residential Tenancy Act, breaking a lease early can result in owing the landlord up to one month's rent or the remaining rent if the unit is not re-rented in a timely manner.