By Irina Marchenkova, Sales Representative, RE/MAX Realtron Realty · Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES®) · Last updated September 2026
Burlington is a lakeside city in Halton Region, between Oakville and Hamilton. It’s known for its walkable downtown along Brant Street, Spencer Smith Park on the waterfront, the Niagara Escarpment to the north and a strong sense of community, and it has often been ranked among the best places to live in Canada.
This guide covers Burlington’s neighbourhoods, homes and prices, transit, schools, lifestyle and the honest pros and cons.
Neighbourhoods Prices Market Costs Transit Schools Checklist FAQ
Burlington at a glance
- Where: Halton Region, on Lake Ontario between Oakville and Hamilton
- Homes: Detached homes, townhouses, lakeside estates and condos downtown
- Getting to Toronto: GO Lakeshore West (Aldershot, Burlington and Appleby stations), the QEW, Highways 403 and 407
- Best for: Families, downsizers and commuters who want a lakeside lifestyle
- Big draws: Spencer Smith Park, downtown Burlington, the Niagara Escarpment and Royal Botanical Gardens
Why people choose Burlington
A true waterfront downtown. Brant Street and Spencer Smith Park put shops, restaurants and the lake within a few blocks.
Nature on both sides. Lake Ontario to the south and the Niagara Escarpment, Mount Nemo and the Bruce Trail to the north.
Three GO stations. Aldershot, Burlington and Appleby stations on the Lakeshore West line, plus the QEW, 403 and 407.
Great for all stages of life. Well-regarded schools, a regional hospital and plenty of options for downsizers.
Burlington buyers often weigh downtown and the lake against newer homes in the north. I encourage them to think about everyday life: walking to Brant Street versus a quieter street near a park and a new school.
— Irina Marchenkova
Burlington neighbourhoods
Popular Burlington neighbourhoods include:
Downtown Burlington
Condos, townhouses and character homes around Brant Street and Spencer Smith Park.
Aldershot
The west end near Royal Botanical Gardens, LaSalle Park and Aldershot GO, with a mix of older and newer homes.
Roseland & Shoreacres
Prestigious lakeside neighbourhoods with large lots and luxury homes east of downtown.
Tyandaga
Hilly, leafy streets around the Tyandaga golf course, with larger homes.
Millcroft & Headon Forest
Popular family neighbourhoods, including homes around the Millcroft golf course.
Alton Village & Orchard
Newer north Burlington communities with detached homes, townhouses and new schools.
Homes and prices in Burlington
Burlington’s housing includes:
- Detached homes from post-war bungalows to newer builds in north Burlington
- Luxury lakeside homes in Roseland, Shoreacres and along the lake
- Townhouses, both freehold and condo
- Condominiums downtown and near GO stations
Burlington benchmark prices (August 2026)
Here’s how Burlington compares with Halton Region and the City of Toronto:
| Area | All homes | Detached | Semi-detached | Townhouse | Condo apt. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington | $849,900 | $1,209,900 | $889,200 | $639,900 | $511,800 |
| Halton Region | $960,100 | $1,315,800 | $871,900 | $640,900 | $530,700 |
| City of Toronto | $918,400 | $1,437,900 | $1,127,200 | $717,200 | $547,400 |
Benchmark prices describe a “typical” home and can differ from any individual sale. A typical detached home in Burlington was benchmarked about $228,000 below the City of Toronto figure in August 2026, and Burlington’s composite benchmark was down 2.97% year over year. Ask me for recent sold prices on any street.
Thinking of selling? Get a free home evaluation and I’ll show you what comparable homes near you have actually sold for.
Market snapshot
Here’s how many homes sold and at what prices in August 2026, for all home types combined:
| Area | Homes sold | Average price | Median price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington | 193 | $1,020,937 | $897,000 |
| Halton Region | 571 | $1,110,436 | $957,000 |
| All TRREB (GTA) | 5,057 | $993,410 | $850,000 |
Across the whole GTA in August 2026, homes sold for about 97% of their final list price on average and spent an average of 35 days on the market. GTA sales were down 2.1% from a year earlier and the average price was down 2.7%, so buyers have more choice and negotiating room than in recent years. For the latest numbers on a specific street, ask me for a free market report.
What it costs to buy in Burlington
Land transfer tax
Burlington is outside the City of Toronto, so buyers pay only Ontario’s land transfer tax, not the extra Toronto municipal tax. Here’s what that looks like at typical prices:
| Example purchase | Ontario LTT | First-time buyer pays |
|---|---|---|
| Detached home at $1,210,000 | $20,675 | $16,675 |
| Condo apartment at $510,000 | $6,675 | $2,675 |
First-time buyers can get a refund of up to $4,000 on the Ontario land transfer tax. You (and your spouse) must never have owned a home anywhere in the world. Land transfer tax is paid on closing, on top of your down payment, so budget for it along with legal fees, title insurance and moving costs.
Property taxes
Burlington’s residential property tax rate is 1.015% (2026 urban residential rate, City of Burlington), or about $1,015 a year for every $100,000 of assessed value. In Ontario, property tax is based on your home’s MPAC assessed value, which is still based on January 1, 2016 values and is usually well below today’s market price. You can find a home’s assessment on its latest tax bill or through MPAC.
| MPAC assessed value | Approximate yearly property tax |
|---|---|
| $400,000 | $4,060 |
| $600,000 | $6,090 |
| $800,000 | $8,120 |
| $1,000,000 | $10,150 |
Getting around
- GO Transit: Aldershot, Burlington and Appleby stations on the Lakeshore West line.
- Burlington Transit: Local bus service across the city.
- Driving: The QEW, Highway 403 and Highway 407.
- Hamilton and Niagara: Easy access west, with the Lakeshore West line continuing to Hamilton and Niagara.
Schools and family life
Burlington is served by the Halton District School Board and Halton Catholic District School Board, with French-language options through Viamonde and MonAvenir. Check each board’s school locator for a specific address.
Joseph Brant Hospital serves the city, and McMaster University and Mohawk College are a short drive away in Hamilton.
Child care
Licensed child care in Ontario is far more affordable than it was a few years ago. At centres enrolled in the Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care program, fees for children under 6 are capped at $22 a day in 2026, and families with lower incomes can apply for a fee subsidy that reduces the cost further. (The long-promised $10-a-day average has not yet been reached in Ontario.)
Halton Region manages child care fee subsidies, and the Region reports that most licensed child care programs in Halton are enrolled in the reduced-fee program.
My tip: get on waitlists as early as possible, ideally several months before you move or before parental leave ends, and ask each centre whether it’s enrolled in the reduced-fee program.
- Ontario: Find and pay for child care: search licensed centres province-wide and learn about fee subsidies
- Halton Region: Help with the Cost of Child Care: fee subsidies and a list of centres in the reduced-fee program
Parks, shopping and things to do
- Spencer Smith Park and the Burlington waterfront: the pier, trails and festivals
- Royal Botanical Gardens: gardens and nature trails on the Burlington–Hamilton border
- Mount Nemo Conservation Area: escarpment cliffs and lookouts on the Bruce Trail
- Burlington Performing Arts Centre: concerts and theatre downtown
- Sound of Music Festival: a large free summer music festival
- Brant Street: shops, cafés and restaurants
- Shopping: Mapleview Shopping Centre
Pros and cons of living in Burlington
Pros
- Walkable waterfront downtown
- Lake and escarpment nature
- Three GO stations and great highway access
- Well-regarded schools
- Strong community for families and downsizers
Cons
- Detached homes are pricey for Halton’s west end
- QEW and 403 traffic at rush hour
- Downtown condo supply is growing quickly
- Longer commute to downtown Toronto
- North Burlington is car-dependent
Before you buy in Burlington: local checklist
Every area has its own rules and quirks. Here’s what I check with buyers in Burlington:
- Conservation areas: properties near creeks or the lakeshore may be regulated by Conservation Halton.
- Niagara Escarpment: rural north Burlington lies within the Niagara Escarpment Plan area, which limits building and development.
- Older homes: post-war homes in Aldershot and central Burlington may need updated wiring, plumbing or windows.
- Accessory apartments: confirm any basement unit meets City of Burlington requirements.
- Condos: always review the status certificate, reserve fund study and any upcoming special assessments before you firm up an offer.
- Non-Canadian buyers: check the current federal foreign-buyer rules and Ontario’s Non-Resident Speculation Tax before making an offer.
Buying or selling in Burlington with Irina
I’m a RE/MAX Realtron Realty Sales Representative and Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES®). Whether you’re moving from Toronto to the lake, downsizing to a downtown condo or buying a family home near a good school, I’ll give you honest, local advice about Burlington, in English or Russian.
- Buying with Irina: how I help buyers find the right home and negotiate well
- Selling with Irina: pricing, preparation and marketing that gets results
- Pre-construction: new condos and homes across the GTA
- Free home evaluation: find out what your home is worth today
Call or text 416-846-8064 or email irina@loveurlife.ca, or send me a message below.
Burlington real estate FAQ
Is Burlington a good place to live?
For many families and downsizers, yes. Burlington offers a waterfront downtown, escarpment trails, three GO stations and well-regarded schools, and it has often been ranked among Canada’s best places to live.
How much does a house cost in Burlington?
In August 2026, TRREB’s benchmark price for a typical detached home in Burlington was $1,209,900. Semi-detached homes were around $889,200, townhouses around $639,900 and condo apartments around $511,800.
How do you commute from Burlington to Toronto?
GO trains on the Lakeshore West line run from Aldershot, Burlington and Appleby stations to Union Station, and the QEW and Highway 403 connect by car.
What are the best neighbourhoods in Burlington?
Downtown, Roseland, Shoreacres, Tyandaga, Millcroft, Headon Forest and Alton Village are all popular, each with a different lifestyle and price range.
Do you pay Toronto land transfer tax in Burlington?
No. Burlington is in Halton Region, so buyers pay only the Ontario land transfer tax.
Useful links
Official sources and local resources I recommend to buyers and sellers (links open in a new tab):
- City of Burlington
- Burlington property taxes: 2026 rates
- Ontario first-time buyer land transfer tax refund
- MPAC: look up a property’s assessed value
- Fraser Institute school rankings: compare Ontario school results
- GO Transit: regional trains and buses
- Halton District School Board
- Halton Catholic District School Board
- Halton Region: regional services, waste and water
- Conservation Halton: check if a property is in a regulated area
- Royal Botanical Gardens: gardens and nature trails on the Burlington–Hamilton border
- Bruce Trail Conservancy: hiking along the Niagara Escarpment
- TRREB Market Watch: monthly GTA sales and price data
Explore nearby areas
- Oakville: just east
- Milton: to the north
- Mississauga: further east
- Halton Hills: north Halton
- All area guides: every neighbourhood guide in one place
- Interactive map: see every area on one clickable map