Craig Johnston Personal Real Estate Corporation · Brokerage: Royal LePage Elite West
For buyers deciding which city to buy in. Before you commit to Coquitlam, know what crossing a city line actually costs or saves. This is the cross-city read most buyers only piece together after weeks of touring.
Reviewed: October 29, 2026 · Market data: GVR September 2026 · BCFSA Licence: 187645 · Brokerage: Royal LePage Elite WestIn September 2026, Port Coquitlam was the least expensive of the three Tri-Cities for every home type, with a detached benchmark of $1,240,600. Coquitlam’s detached benchmark was $1,584,400, and Port Moody’s was $1,903,500. Burnaby varies by area: Burnaby North detached was $1,808,500.
For townhomes and condos the gaps are much narrower. The right city usually comes down to your commute, school catchment and the type of home you want, more than the benchmark.
| City | Detached | Townhouse | Apartment | Why you’d pick it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coquitlam | $1,584,400 | $976,600 | $640,100 | The largest city, with the widest choice of neighbourhoods, home types and school catchments. |
| Port Moody | $1,903,500 | $940,900 | $676,200 | Inlet waterfront, Brewers Row and Newport Village, priced accordingly for detached. |
| Port Coquitlam | $1,240,600 | $834,300 | $550,000 | The lowest detached benchmark of the three Tri-Cities. |
| Burnaby North | $1,808,500 | $880,400 | $662,400 | A shorter commute downtown and more tower inventory. |
Source: Greater Vancouver REALTORS® MLS® HPI, September 2026. Benchmarks describe a typical home; neighbourhoods within each city vary widely.
Comparing two specific cities? See Coquitlam vs Port Coquitlam, Coquitlam vs Burnaby and Coquitlam vs Maple Ridge.
Coquitlam, Port Moody, Port Coquitlam, Anmore and Belcarra are all in School District 43, so the district doesn’t change when you cross a city line. What matters is the catchment for the exact address. Parts of Westwood Plateau in Coquitlam are served by Pinetree Secondary or Heritage Woods Secondary, among others, depending on the address; Heritage Woods also serves Heritage Mountain in Port Moody, and Riverside Secondary serves Citadel in Port Coquitlam. Burnaby is a separate district.
Confirm any address with the SD43 school locator, and see the Coquitlam schools guide.
Torn between two cities? Tell me where you work and what you need, and I’ll show you how the same budget plays out in each.
Book a 20-min call →“We had such a great experience working with Craig to buy our home! He was incredibly knowledgeable, patient, and always available whenever we needed him. He made us feel supported throughout the entire process and was always willing to answer our questions and take the time to make sure we felt comfortable and confident in our decisions. We never felt pressured or rushed.”
“Craig worked with my wife and me for over 3 years to find the perfect home. He was endlessly patient with us through the process. Eventually, we found our perfect home and he moved fast to execute on our behalf. He negotiated fairly and thoroughly with the sellers and was our advocate all throughout our first home purchase.”
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“We had such a great experience working with Craig to buy our home! He was incredibly knowledgeable, patient, and always available whenever we needed him. He made us feel supported throughout the entire process and was always willing to answer our questions and take the time to make sure we felt comfortable and confident in our decisions. We never felt pressured or rushed.”
“Craig worked with my wife and me for over 3 years to find the perfect home. He was endlessly patient with us through the process. Eventually, we found our perfect home and he moved fast to execute on our behalf. He negotiated fairly and thoroughly with the sellers and was our advocate all throughout our first home purchase.”
Overall, slightly less. In September 2026, Coquitlam’s composite benchmark was $971,700 and Port Moody’s was $1,011,500. The gap is biggest for detached homes: $1,584,400 in Coquitlam versus $1,903,500 in Port Moody.
Yes. Port Coquitlam’s composite benchmark was $835,500 in September 2026, compared with $971,700 in Coquitlam, and it was lower for every home type, with the widest gap for detached. The differences are usually catchment, SkyTrain access and the mix of homes available.
It depends on the area. Burnaby is split into three: Burnaby South’s composite benchmark was $972,800, Burnaby North’s $877,100 and Burnaby East’s $982,400 in September 2026. Coquitlam, at $971,700, sat above Burnaby North and close to Burnaby South and East.
Coquitlam, Port Moody, Port Coquitlam, Anmore and Belcarra all share School District 43, so the catchment matters more than the city. Confirm any address with the SD43 school locator before you write an offer.
It depends on your strategy. Burquitlam condos sit on the Millennium Line, which matters to renters. Port Coquitlam has the lowest detached benchmark of the three Tri-Cities. Burke Mountain has much of the newer townhome stock. Anmore is mainly acreage and luxury homes.
Have a question about a specific home or street? Book a 20-minute call or see what your current home is worth.
I’ve lived in the Tri-Cities for more than 47 years and on Burke Mountain for more than nine. I represent buyers in Coquitlam, Port Moody and Port Coquitlam, so my advice on which city fits you isn’t limited to one market.
Written and reviewed by Craig Johnston, REALTOR® (BCFSA Licence #187645), Royal LePage Elite West · Last reviewed October 29, 2026. This page is general information. Benchmarks describe a typical home and change monthly; confirm current sales for the home and area you’re considering.
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