Brentwood vs Metrotown: Which Burnaby Hub Is Better to Buy? (2026)

Burnaby grew up around its SkyTrain stations, and two town centres stand out for families shopping for a brand-new home: Brentwood in the north and Metrotown in the south. Both put shopping, transit, and parks within easy reach. Both have brand-new multiplex homes — duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes where each home is privately owned — appearing on the quieter streets nearby. So which one fits your family? Here's an honest comparison.

The quick version

Metrotown is the bigger, more established hub, built around the largest shopping centre in BC and the Expo Line. Brentwood is the newer, fast-rising hub on the Millennium Line, anchored by a modern shopping-and-dining district. Both are excellent; the right one depends on which line you'll ride and which end of Burnaby fits your life.

What multiplex homes cost in Burnaby

Burnaby generally offers more home for the money than the city of Vancouver. The benchmark attached-home price across Greater Vancouver was $1,043,400 in April 2026, down 5.1% year over year, per Greater Vancouver REALTORS. Listing data from Zolo currently shows townhome asking prices around $1.39 million (June 2026); the benchmark townhouse — a typical home's value — ran from about $852,000 in Burnaby East to roughly $1,005,700 in Burnaby South in April 2026 (Greater Vancouver REALTORS) — competitive with, and often below, comparable Vancouver neighbourhoods. Prices in both Brentwood and Metrotown vary by home size and how close you are to the station and the mall.

Metrotown: the established hub

Metrotown is Burnaby's largest town centre, anchored by Metropolis at Metrotown — the biggest shopping centre in British Columbia — and the Expo Line, which runs straight into downtown Vancouver. Families value Central Park, with its trails, sports fields, pitch-and-putt, and pool, plus the Bonsor Recreation Complex and the public library nearby. It's busy, convenient, and has everything within reach.

Brentwood: the newer hub

Brentwood, in north Burnaby, has transformed into a modern shopping-and-dining destination on the Millennium Line, which connects across to the Broadway corridor and (soon) deeper into Vancouver. It tends to feel newer and more design-forward, and it's well placed for households whose work or family pulls them toward north Burnaby, the Tri-Cities, or the SFU side of the city.

How to choose

• Choose Metrotown if you want the Expo Line straight downtown, the biggest mall in the province, and Central Park's green space at your door.
• Choose Brentwood if you want the Millennium Line, a newer feel, and a north-Burnaby base closer to the Tri-Cities and SFU.
• Either works if you're a two-generation family wanting transit, shopping, and parks — both deliver, with brand-new homes on the streets nearby.

How to buy a brand-new multiplex in Burnaby

Brand-new duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes are appearing across Burnaby because recent provincial housing rules opened up small-scale homes on lots that used to allow only a single house. Many sell as pre-sales — you reserve before completion, usually with a deposit around 5% of the price, and get first pick of floor plans. The newest homes often sell quietly, so get on the early list and talk to our team about what's coming to both hubs.

What this comes down to

• Burnaby generally stretches your budget further than the city of Vancouver; the benchmark townhouse ran from about $852,000 to $1,005,700 across its areas in April 2026.
• Metrotown: Expo Line downtown, the biggest mall in BC, Central Park — the established, everything-here hub.
• Brentwood: Millennium Line, a newer feel, a north-Burnaby base near the Tri-Cities and SFU.
• The wider attached market eased about 5% over the past year and is currently balanced.
• Pick the hub by the SkyTrain line you'll ride and the end of Burnaby that fits your life.

Frequently asked questions

Is Brentwood or Metrotown better for families?

Both are strong. Metrotown has Central Park, a major recreation complex, and the Expo Line downtown. Brentwood is newer and well placed for north Burnaby and the Tri-Cities. The better fit depends on which SkyTrain line and which side of Burnaby suits your daily life.

How much does a multiplex home cost in Burnaby?

Burnaby generally costs less than the city of Vancouver. In April 2026 the benchmark townhouse across Burnaby ran from about $852,000 to $1,005,700, below the Metro Vancouver attached benchmark of about $1.04 million. Prices vary by size and proximity to the station and shopping.

Which SkyTrain line serves Metrotown?

Metrotown is on the Expo Line, which runs directly into downtown Vancouver and out to Surrey. It's one of the busiest stations in the system, right next to Metropolis at Metrotown.

Which SkyTrain line serves Brentwood?

Brentwood is on the Millennium Line, which connects across north Burnaby toward the Broadway corridor and the Tri-Cities. It's anchored by Brentwood's modern shopping-and-dining district.

Is Burnaby cheaper than Vancouver?

Often, yes. For a comparable brand-new home, Burnaby's town centres frequently price below equivalent Vancouver neighbourhoods, while still offering excellent transit, shopping, and parks. That value is a big reason families look here.

Which has better shopping, Brentwood or Metrotown?

Metrotown has the largest shopping centre in BC, Metropolis at Metrotown, so it wins on sheer size. Brentwood's district is newer and more curated, with a strong dining scene. Both cover everyday needs easily.

Is now a good time to buy in Burnaby?

The market has cooled. Attached-home prices across the region eased about 5% over the past year, and the April 2026 market was balanced, meaning more listings and more room to negotiate.

Can I buy a brand-new multiplex in Brentwood or Metrotown pre-sale?

Yes — many new homes in both areas sell pre-sale, meaning you reserve before completion. Deposits commonly begin around 5% of the price, and buying early gets you first pick of floor plans. Move-in-ready homes are also available.

Which is quieter to live in?

Both hubs are busy at their cores. The brand-new multiplex homes tend to sit on the quieter residential streets a few blocks from the station and mall, where it's calmer. If quiet matters, focus your search there in either area.

What deposit do I need for a pre-sale in Burnaby?

It varies by home, but pre-sale deposits in BC commonly start around 5% of the price on signing, with further instalments at set dates. The contract spells out the schedule, and our team can explain what a specific home requires.

How do I find new multiplex listings in Burnaby?

Start by browsing current listings, and get on our early-access list so you hear about new Brentwood and Metrotown homes before they're public.

Weighing Brentwood against Metrotown? Talk to our team and we'll help you compare brand-new homes in both hubs side by side.