F
66%
Overall NAT. AVG.
1%
Groceries NAT. AVG.
228%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: These cost of living estimates reflect 2026 modeled data using U.S. Census housing inputs and AI-assisted city-level pricing models.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living score is 90, then the estimated cost of living is 10% lower than the national average. If the score is 110, then the estimated cost of living is 10% higher than average. The overall index is calculated using weighted estimates across major everyday expense categories, including housing (30%), groceries (16%), transportation (12%), healthcare (10%), utilities (8%), lifestyle and entertainment (8%), household expenses (8%), and education and childcare (8%). All values are AI-assisted city-level estimates designed for directional comparisons.
Index Brentwood Tennessee National
Cost of living16692100
Groceries9998100
Health care9897100
Housing32880100
Transportation9597100
Utilities10098100
Lifestyle & Entertainment9797100
Household Items9898100
Education & Childcare9397100
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An Overview of Cost of Living in Brentwood, TN

Understanding the cost of living in Brentwood can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The Brentwood cost of living index is 166, which is 66% higher than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.

If you're in pursuit of an economical living environment, Brentwood may not fit the bill, as it ranks among the most expensive places to reside in the United States. Just a minority of regions exhibit a cost of living that is more than 20% higher than the national average, and, unfortunately, Brentwood falls within this bracket.

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 228.1% more than the average city. This includes things like home and rent prices, mortgage rates and insurance.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Brentwood?

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.

Is Brentwood Affordable?

Is Brentwood an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Brentwood is 277.9% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 111.8% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Brentwood has a median household income of $235,878, which is 190% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Brentwood?

Urbanization: Larger, urban centers, known for their wealth of amenities and strong employment prospects, often exhibit an elevated cost of living, primarily attributable to the heightened demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this scenario leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural areas or regions characterized by diminished demand typically provide a more limited array of amenities and experience slower job market growth, resulting in a more affordable cost of living.

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%, and income tax rates begin at 0%.

Healthcare: Healthcare expenses and insurance premiums can vary significantly depending on the specific city or state. Factors such as accessibility to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's visits, dental care expenses, prescription costs and specialized medical care fees can all influence the overall cost of living. In Brentwood, healthcare costs are 2.4% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

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 Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Brentwood is 80% higher than the Tennessee average
  • The cost of living in Brentwood is 66% higher than the national average
  • Brentwood housing is 228% higher than the national average
  • Tennessee general sales tax is 37% higher than the national average
  • Tennessee state income tax is 100% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Brentwood

See all the best places to live around Brentwood

Compare Brentwood, TN Cost of Living

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      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Groceries index
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      Transportation index
      Utilities index
      Lifestyle index
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      Educare index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$263,691$21,974$6,152$7,912
      Renters$114,331$9,528$2,668$3,430
      The percentage of monthly income spent on housing related expenses can help predict the affordability of housing in Brentwood, TN, as well as what the overall cost of living might be. Generally, a good rule to follow is that the debt-to-income (DTI) level you want to maintain is 28 percent or less of your income on your rent or mortgage payments and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses and debts. In Brentwood, homeowners have a median income of $263,691. Using that number, a maximum of $6,152 per month should be allocated to housing expenses. For those who are renting instead of owning, the median income is $114,331, which means there is a maximum of $2,668 to be spent on the costs of renting a home or apartment.

      Tennessee Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Tennessee 7% 9.75%

      Tennessee Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Tennessee 0% 0%

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      La Vergne, TN36,4261022.0%
      Smyrna, TN52,8021033.0%
      Nashville, TN692,02211010.0%
      Green Hill, TN7,56711010.4%
      Berry Hill, TN1,26011616.5%
      Brentwood, TN44,02516666.4%

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      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Edmonds, WA44,02315959.5%
      North Miami Beach, FL44,0341088.3%
      Fond du Lac, WI44,014918.7%
      Rocky View County, AB44,056n/a 
      Vernon, BC43,975n/a 
      Brentwood, TN44,02516666.4%
      Date & Last Updated: These cost of living estimates reflect 2026 modeled data using U.S. Census housing inputs and AI-assisted city-level pricing models.