| Index | Brentwood | California | National |
| Cost of living | 173 | 141 | 100 |
| Groceries | 112 | 111 | 100 |
| Health care | 113 | 116 | 100 |
| Housing | 305 | 197 | 100 |
| Transportation | 117 | 118 | 100 |
| Utilities | 119 | 119 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 115 | 120 | 100 |
| Household Items | 108 | 111 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 131 | 127 | 100 |
Knowing the cost of living in Brentwood allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Brentwood stands at 173, marking it 73% higher than the national average.
If you value affordability in your search for a new place to live, Brentwood may not be the most suitable option, as it stands out as one of the priciest areas in the entire United States. Only a small fraction of regions have a cost of living that is more than 20% higher than the national average, and regrettably, Brentwood falls into this category, which may not align with your desire for an affordable place to call home.
Housing costs are a very significant part of the Brentwood cost of living index and generally encompass a large percentage of take-home income. Unfortunately, in this area, the housing costs for both homes and rentals were 205.4% more than the average city. This includes things like home and rent prices, mortgage rates and insurance.
The cost of groceries continues to rise at an alarming rate. Over the last two years, grocery prices have increased by more than 10%! Unfortunately, in Brentwood, the news isn't any better as grocery prices are 11.6% higher than the national average.
Locals have the inside scoop on their city. So, we polled 9 residents in Brentwood to learn how they view the cost of living. We asked how they felt about the cost of living in their area, and if they thought that prices were increasing, decreasing or staying the same. The verdict? 22% find it reasonable with decreasing prices, but 78% think it's quite pricey, with prices that continue to rise.
Wondering if Brentwood is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Brentwood, for example, the median home price is 237.1% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 131.5% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Brentwood boasting a median household income of $168,563, which is 107.3% higher than the national average.
Transportation: In situations where public transportation is limited or nonexistent, local residents may be required to own and maintain their own vehicles, contributing to an elevated cost of living. Monthly expenditures may encompass fuel costs, insurance premiums, routine vehicle upkeep and possibly lease or financing payments. In Brentwood, the transportation index is 16.8% higher than the national average.
Taxes: Cities that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an escalated cost of living. The added expense of taxes on everyday goods like clothing and food naturally results in higher overall costs. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can further elevate the cost of living. In Brentwood, the general sales tax rate starts at 7.25%, and income tax rates begin at 1%.
Housing: High demand for housing in desirable locations can drive up property prices and rental rates. This can be a primary contributor to a higher cost of living. While low demand for housing, especially in undesirable locations, can have the reverse effect and drive prices down, resulting in a lower cost of living. The housing index in Brentwood, is 205.4% higher than the national average.
The Brentwood cost of living data displayed above uses a U.S. average baseline of 100 to provide a practical way to compare living expenses across cities. Housing estimates incorporate U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are generated using AI-assisted models based on everyday expense expectations, regional pricing trends, climate, transportation patterns, and local economic conditions. These values are designed for directional city-to-city comparisons.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $181,022 | $15,085 | $4,224 | $5,431 |
| Renters | $109,000 | $9,083 | $2,543 | $3,270 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| California | 7.25% | 10.5% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| California | 1% | 13.3% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Terminous, CA | 415 | 116 | 16.2% |
| Bethel Island, CA | 2,055 | 130 | 29.8% |
| Bay Point, CA | 26,221 | 134 | 34.4% |
| Pittsburg, CA | 73,362 | 146 | 46.5% |
| Antioch, CA | 115,196 | 149 | 49.3% |
| Brentwood, CA | 65,405 | 173 | 72.6% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Dublin, CA | 65,416 | 215 | 115.5% |
| Port Orange, FL | 65,435 | 108 | 7.7% |
| Halton Hills, ON | 65,483 | n/a | |
| Haverhill, MA | 65,500 | 128 | 28.3% |
| Cheyenne, WY | 65,554 | 105 | 5.3% |
| Brentwood, CA | 65,405 | 173 | 72.6% |
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