September 17, 2025

Brentwood feels like a city that still remembers its roots. Drive through in the summer and you’ll see roadside farm stands piled with sweet corn and peaches, reminders of the area’s agricultural past.

At the same time, new Brentwood neighborhoods keep rising on the edges of town, bringing more shops, restaurants, and schools. That mix of old and new is part of what makes Brentwood appealing, but it also means the cost of living runs higher than the national average.

Between East Bay housing prices, long commutes, and everyday expenses, living here takes some planning and a solid budget.

Is It Expensive To Buy A Home In Brentwood?

Brentwood sits on the pricier side of the East Bay suburbs.

The median listing price was about $800,000 in August 2025, and broader home-value indexes put typical single-family values in the low-to-mid $800Ks in recent months; that places Brentwood well above the national median and firmly inside the Bay Area pricing band.

Prices have softened from the peak in parts of 2024 and 2025, so market trends matter: inventory, mortgage costs, and nearby job growth all push local home prices up or down quickly.

If you are looking at homes for sale in Brentwood right now, expect to budget substantially more than in many inland or non-Bay suburbs.

What is the Average Rent in Brentwood?

Rent prices in Brentwood vary by unit size and age, but market snapshots in late 2025 show one-bedroom rents near roughly $2,000 per month and two-bedroom rents commonly in the mid-$2,700s to low-$3,300s, depending on location and finishes. Those averages are meaningfully higher than national rent averages.

Expect variation: newer complexes and units closer to retail corridors command premiums, while older apartments on the city edge and duplexes can be lower.

If you plan to rent while you shop for homes, budget for a deposit plus first/last, and factor in utilities and commuting costs on top of the base rent.

What Are The Taxes in Brentwood?

California’s property tax system starts with a roughly 1.0% base levy, and Brentwood homeowners also see voter-approved bonds and local assessments added to that base.

Contra Costa County’s published tax rate detail for 2024–2025 and the county property tax pages explain how the base 1% is distributed and how special assessments are layered on top of it.

Because local bond measures and assessments vary by tax rate area, two identical homes in different Brentwood neighborhoods can show different bills. For budgeting, many buyers use an effective rate around 1.2–1.4% of market value as a working estimate for Contra Costa County when adding up mortgage, insurance, and taxes.

How High Are Property Taxes in Brentwood?

A typical rule of thumb in the county is the 1% base plus municipal and special charges; effective tax bills in Brentwood frequently run in the 1.2–1.4% neighborhood when you include local assessments.

That means on an $800,000 house, you might expect annual property tax near the low five-figure range, though exact bills depend on the property’s tax rate area and assessed value.

If you want a precise number, the Contra Costa Treasurer/Tax Collector and Assessor offer property-by-parcel lookups and tax-rate tables; use those tools for any offer calculations rather than a flat percentage alone.

What Are the Average Monthly Utility Bills in Brentwood?

Electricity for a typical household in Brentwood runs in the low-to-mid hundreds per month; published local estimates and regional comparisons place average residential electric bills around $260–$290 per month in 2025.

Water and sewer are billed by the city with base fees plus usage charges; a typical single-household water + sewer tab often falls in the low-double-digits to low-hundreds, depending on household size and irrigation.

Gas bills can swing with weather and PG&E rate adjustments; statewide advisory notices in early 2025 signaled higher gas delivery components for many customers.

How Much Should I Budget for Groceries in Brentwood?

Grocery prices in the Brentwood area line up with typical Bay Area costs.

Local cost-of-food indexes and crowd-sourced price snapshots show grocery items and the baseline “food at home” basket notably above the national average; a single adult who cooks at home might budget roughly $300–$500 per month, while a family of four should expect something in the $800–$1,200 per month range depending on shopping patterns and dietary needs.

Food inflation has fluctuated across 2024–2025, so plan for occasional price pressure on staples and seasonal spikes. Using local supermarket options such as full-service chains, discounters, and ethnic markets will materially change that monthly number.

How Much Does Transportation Cost in Brentwood?

Transportation costs are a major line item for many Brentwood residents because commutes tend to be long.

Studies show Brentwood has one of the longest average commute times in the country, around 46 minutes daily in recent reporting, so fuel, tolls, vehicle wear, or transit fares will be a larger share of monthly spending than in many smaller cities.

Public transit options are limited but present: Tri Delta Transit runs routes and park-and-ride services linking Brentwood to Antioch BART and regional hubs, which some commuters use to reduce driving.

For drivers, AAA and federal cost-per-mile studies provide tools to estimate ownership plus operating costs; depending on commute length and vehicle, commuters often budget several hundred dollars to $700+ per month when you include gas, insurance, maintenance, and parking.

What is the Median Household Income in Brentwood?

The most recent estimates (2025) put the median household income in Brentwood, CA, at about $139,600 per year.

Household incomes in Brentwood trend higher than both the state and national medians, reflecting its position within the greater Bay Area economy. Many residents work in professional, technical, and healthcare fields, and many commute to San Francisco, Oakland, or Silicon Valley.

This income profile supports a housing market where median home values sit in the $800,000 range, and it also explains why Brentwood consistently attracts buyers who want East Bay amenities but are prepared for above-average living expenses.

What is the Recommended Income to Live In Brentwood?

Many buyers find they need roughly $180,000–$220,000 a year in gross income to comfortably carry a median Brentwood purchase without stretching monthly budgets, though exact needs vary with down payment, loan rate, debt, and household size.

These calculations use Freddie Mac mortgage data and local median pricing as the starting points.

How Does the Cost of Living in Brentwood Compare to the National Average?

Multiple cost-of-living calculators put Brentwood well above the national average and estimate Brentwood’s cost of living at roughly 35–40% higher than the U.S. median, driven chiefly by housing and transportation.

In practical terms, housing costs and commute-related spending are the two biggest reasons Brentwood’s overall living expenses run higher than the national median.

If you are moving to Brentwood, evaluate total compensation and remote-work flexibility against local prices rather than comparing single line items. Often, the difference between “affordable” and “stretched” comes down to mortgage rate, down payment size, and commute load.

FAQs About the Cost of Living in Brentwood, CA

Is Brentwood expensive compared with the rest of Contra Costa County?

Brentwood is generally on the higher side for housing within Contra Costa County, though it can be less expensive than some western county cities closer to Walnut Creek or San Ramon. Housing patterns vary, so neighborhood choice and the home type will change the comparison.

What should I expect to pay in property taxes for a typical home?

Budget using a base 1.0% property tax plus local assessments; many Brentwood homeowners see an effective rate around 1.2–1.4% of market value in recent years. To get an exact estimate, check the county tax lookup for the property’s tax rate area.

Are there good rental options if I want to rent first?

Yes. Apartments and single-family rentals exist across Brentwood, with one-bedroom averages near the low $2,000s and two-bedroom averages often in the mid-$2,700s as of late 2025; newer rental inventory tends to be pricier. Browsing local listings will show the current spread and move-in specials.

How much will my commute cost if I work in downtown San Francisco or Silicon Valley?

Commuting to major job centers is common but expensive from Brentwood. Long drive times add fuel, maintenance, and toll costs; some residents use Tri Delta links to Antioch BART to shift part of the trip to transit. Estimate commuting as a major monthly budget item, often several hundred dollars a month or more depending on frequency and route.

Are utilities likely to spike in the summer months?

Yes. Water and irrigation costs climb in summer for landscaped yards, and electricity for air conditioning can push bills higher in hotter months. Check the city’s water rate pages and local electric rate comparisons when modeling summer bills.