Editor's note, October 6, 2026: this article was reviewed and rewritten in our accuracy check. An earlier version contained neighbourhood price levels, rent tables and market statistics we could not trace to a published source; they have been removed or replaced with figures from the sources listed at the end of the article.
Burlington is a city in Halton Region at the western end of Lake Ontario, between Oakville and Hamilton, with the Niagara Escarpment along its northern edge. Its population was 186,948 in the 2021 Census. Communities run from Aldershot in the west, through downtown and the lakeshore, to postwar and newer neighbourhoods such as Brant Hills and Millcroft north of the QEW, and rural areas north of Highway 407.
Getting around
- GO Transit's Lakeshore West line stops at Appleby, Burlington and Aldershot stations.
- The QEW, Highway 403 and Highway 407 meet in Burlington.
Homes
Detached homes make up much of the stock, with townhouses and condos concentrated downtown, along the lakeshore and near the GO stations. North of Highway 407 the land is largely rural and protected by the Greenbelt and the escarpment plan, which limits new building there.
Market data
Burlington's resale statistics are published by the Cornerstone Association of REALTORS®. In May 2026, Cornerstone reported a Burlington composite benchmark price of $895,800, up 2.3% from April and down 3.3% year over year. Check Cornerstone's latest monthly update for current figures.
Taxes
Outside the City of Toronto there's no municipal land transfer tax, so on a $1,000,000 purchase you pay Ontario's tax only: $16,475 (an eligible first-time buyer gets up to $4,000 of it refunded). In Toronto the same purchase costs $32,950 with both taxes.
Frequently asked questions
Do I pay Toronto's land transfer tax if I buy in Burlington?
No. Toronto's municipal land transfer tax applies only to property in the City of Toronto. In Burlington you pay Ontario's land transfer tax, and an eligible first-time buyer can get up to $4,000 of it refunded.
How is my property tax worked out?
Your bill is your property's assessed value, set by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC), multiplied by the total tax rate. Ontario has postponed province-wide reassessment, so 2026 property taxes are still based on assessed values as of January 1, 2016. A recent buyer's bill therefore reflects that 2016 value, not the price paid.
Can I add a second or third unit?
Since Ontario's More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022, most residential lots with full municipal water and sewer services can have up to three units as of right (for example a basement apartment and a garden or garage suite), subject to the municipality's zoning and the Building Code. Check Burlington's zoning by-law and get permits before you count on rental income from a new unit.
Is there a vacant home or vacant unit tax in Burlington?
Toronto, Ottawa and Hamilton have one; most other Ontario municipalities don't. If you're buying a second property or a home you may leave empty, check Burlington's own rules.
Which school boards serve Burlington?
The Halton District School Board and the Halton Catholic District School Board run the English-language public and Catholic schools. French-language boards also operate. Catchments go by address, so check each board's school locator for the homes you're considering.
How long is the commute to downtown Toronto?
It depends on where in Burlington you live and when you travel. GO Transit's Lakeshore West line runs to Union Station; check the current GO schedule for the station nearest the home, and time the drive at rush hour before you commit.
What does the Greenbelt mean for north Burlington?
Much of the land north of Highway 407 is protected by Ontario's Greenbelt and the Niagara Escarpment Plan, which limit new subdivisions there. If you're buying a rural property, check what the plans allow before you assume you can build or sever.
Thinking about buying here? Search current listings and recent sales on Summitly, talk to a licensed Summitly agent who works the area, or ask Zara, Summitly's AI virtual agent, for a neighbourhood briefing.
