City Profile
Burnaby, British Columbia
Canada · Comprehensive city data and intelligence
Burnaby, British Columbia, is a dynamic city nestled in the heart of the Metro Vancouver Regional District, sharing its eastern border with Vancouver. As British Columbia's third-largest city by population, Burnaby has evolved from a modest community into a significant urban hub. The city is recognized for its unique blend of urban convenience and immediate access to the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest, making it an attractive location for those seeking a balanced lifestyle. Burnaby is also home to major educational institutions like Simon Fraser University and the British Columbia Institute of Technology, contributing to a well-educated populace.
British Columbia, Canada's westernmost province, is characterized by its diverse geography, including rugged coastlines, mountains, and forests, fostering a vibrant outdoor lifestyle. The economy is robust and diversified, with key industries such as forestry, mining, technology, film and television production, tourism, and a significant port in Vancouver. Living in British Columbia generally offers a high quality of life, though it is one of Canada's more expensive provinces, particularly in urban centers like Vancouver and Victoria. The climate varies dramatically across the province, with mild, rainy winters and warm, dry summers in coastal areas, while interior regions experience hotter summers and colder, snowier winters.
How this 68/100 was calculated five components, with every reading behind them
| Component | Readings used | Points | Weight | Contributes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Safety | Safety score: 61 / 100 | 61.0 | 30% | 18.3 |
| Affordability | Cost of living index (100 = national baseline): 69.0 | 82.5 | 25% | 20.6 |
| Economy & jobs | Median household income: $83,000 Income needed to live here: $77,712 Unemployment rate: 6.91% | 36.1 | 20% | 7.2 |
| Growth | Population growth rate: 7% Job growth rate: no usable reading | 100.0 | 15% | 15.0 |
| Business climate assessment | No usable reading — dataset average used | 64.9 | 10% | 6.5 |
| Overall score | 67.6 | |||
Provenance.
These figures were produced by the research pass recorded as
Gemini (Tier 1 (fast), q=75), last refreshed
5 August 2026.
They are researched estimates drawn from public sources, not a licensed data feed.
Each component is scored against fixed published endpoints, so this number is comparable with any other city and does not move as the dataset grows. Scoring framework 2026.10 — full methodology, weights and accepted ranges.
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Cost of Living
The cost of living in Burnaby is considered moderate, with a cost of living index of 69.46, which is 8% lower than the British Columbia average. However, it remains higher than the national average. Housing costs are a significant factor, with Burnaby consistently ranking among the cities with the highest rents in Canada. While rents for one-bedroom apartments saw a decline of 9% in 2024, they are still 16.8% higher than pre-pandemic levels. The median household income, around $83,000 a year, combined with these high housing costs, influences the prevalence of attached homes and apartments being built to keep ownership more accessible.
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Transport
Burnaby offers convenient transportation options, including an extensive public transit system. The city is well-served by SkyTrain, with 11 stations across the city, and numerous bus routes connecting to various parts of the Lower Mainland. The City of Burnaby is actively working to expand its transportation network, including exploring the development of a Burnaby Mountain Urban Transit Gondola to link Simon Fraser University to the regional rapid transit network. Walkability is also a key feature, with many walkable neighborhoods and an extensive trail system for walking, hiking, and biking. Car-sharing services, ride-hailing, and car rentals are also readily available. In June 2026, Burnaby launched its first e-bike share program.
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