Brentwood is a vibrant pocket of East Bay suburbia where roadside farm stands still dot the landscape, yet the San Francisco Bay Area skyline glimmers just an hour away.
Locals and visitors alike talk about the strong sense of community that greets new residents, the broad views of Mount Diablo, and the long summers that keep outdoor recreation on the calendar ten months a year.
If you’re weighing the pros and cons of living in Brentwood, this guide covers the essentials, from the Brentwood housing market to public transportation options, so you can decide whether you can afford to live, work, and play here.
Where is Brentwood Located?
Brentwood sits on the eastern edge of Contra Costa County, about 55 miles east of San Francisco and 30 miles northeast of Oakland. The city lies within the broader San Francisco Bay Area hub yet feels distinctly suburban.
Highway 4 links Brentwood to larger cities like Oakland and San Francisco, while Vasco Road offers a back-road commute toward the South Bay.
The location provides easy access to East Bay job centers without the bustle found closer to the Bay Bridge.
What is the Brentwood Real Estate Market Like?
Walk any block in Brentwood and you will spot a mix of 1990s ranch homes, fresh two-story builds in master-planned neighborhoods, and a few larger-lot properties edging the orchards. This variety keeps first-time buyers, move-up families, and downsizers shopping the same open-house circuit.
Numbers tell the current story. The median home price in Brentwood landed at $799,167 in July 2025, about five percent under last summer yet still above most East Bay suburbs east of Walnut Creek.
Roughly 250 listings were active in August 2025, giving buyers more breathing room than during the pandemic rush but far from a soft market. Entry-level homes under $700,000 still draw multiple offers, while anything turnkey with a pool can stretch past $1 million.
What is the Cost of Living in Brentwood?
A January 2024 consumer index places Brentwood’s overall cost of living at 123, or 23 percent above the U S average. Housing drives most of the gap, sitting roughly 50 percent higher than national norms, while everyday goods, services, and groceries track much closer to statewide figures.
Utilities add another small premium, about 14 percent above U S benchmarks, reflecting both regional energy rates and summer air-conditioning demand.
For a real-world snapshot, a household that spends $3,000 a month on essentials in a lower-priced state would need about $3,700 to keep the same lifestyle here. Many residents feel the higher price in Brentwood is offset by proximity to Bay Area jobs, strong public schools, and a calendar full of local events, but budgeting ahead remains key for anyone planning to relocate.
What are the Utilities in Brentwood?
The City of Brentwood provides water, wastewater, and solid-waste service; Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) delivers electricity and natural gas. New residents can open a municipal utility account online or by calling the Utility Billing office at (925) 516-5415 during business hours.
PG&E start-service requests are handled on pge.com, and deposits vary based on credit.
Trash pickup runs weekly with green-waste and recycling carts included. July 2025 saw a modest 2.8 percent water-rate adjustment, smaller than the 6.5 percent initially proposed.
Is Brentwood a Safe Place to Live?
Official 2025 figures list about 1.9 violent crimes per 1,000 residents, well below the California average of 4.1 and lower than national numbers. Property incidents come in near 17 per 1,000, a tally comparable to Walnut Creek and far beneath what you find in Oakland or San Francisco.
On the ground, it feels quiet. Neighbors chat while walking dogs after sunset, and late pickups from Liberty High rarely raise eyebrows. The busiest spots along Lone Tree Way do see the occasional catalytic-converter theft, so it's recommended to have a steering-wheel lock or driveway camera for peace of mind.
Overall, Brentwood residents tend to view public safety as part of the community fabric rather than a daily concern.
What is the Weather Like in Brentwood?
Long, dry summers and brief, mild winters define Brentwood’s Mediterranean climate.
Average July highs reach 91 °F, while January lows dip to 40 °F. Annual rainfall averages 14.5 inches, and snowfall is effectively zero. Sunshine dominates more than 260 days each year, making outdoor recreational opportunities easy to plan around the city.
What are the Schools Like in Brentwood?
Brentwood classrooms are served by two districts: Brentwood Union for the lower grades and Liberty Union for high school, and both received solid A-range marks in Niche’s 2025 report card.
Test-score proficiency sits around 54 percent in reading and 41 percent in math for the elementary district, while Liberty High reported a 95 percent graduation rate.
Several campuses offer specialized academies in health sciences, ag tech, and engineering, supporting Brentwood’s reputation for excellent schools without the tuition of private institutions.
What are the Job Opportunities in Brentwood?
County labor data shows a 5.4 percent unemployment rate in July 2025, a notch better than the statewide average.
Health care sits at the top of the hiring board thanks to Kaiser Permanente clinics and a new Sutter facility on Balfour Road. Public schools, city departments, construction crews, and real estate offices round out most payrolls, while retail keeps storefronts staffed along Lone Tree Way.
Many residents still split the week, commuting to Walnut Creek or the Tri-Valley for tech and biotech roles on office days and working remotely the rest of the time. The growing mix of nearby openings and hybrid schedules lets households chase Bay Area pay without leaving Brentwood every morning.
What is Transportation Like in Brentwood?
Getting around the city typically involves a car; traffic congestion peaks during morning and evening rush hours as commuters head toward Highway 4 and Vasco Road.
Tri Delta Transit revamped its network in August 2025, adding the Brentwood Tri MyRide micro-transit zone and new fixed routes that connect the Streets of Brentwood shopping center with Antioch BART.
Limited public transportation options mean many households maintain multiple vehicles, but the bus-to-BART link still trims the overall commute for riders heading toward Oakland or San Francisco.
What are the Shopping and Dining Options in Brentwood?
Downtown First Street carries farm-to-fork restaurants, coffee roasters, and weekend live-music patios. For big-box needs, residents drive 15 minutes to Antioch or 25 minutes to Walnut Creek. Dining leans casual. Think family-owned taquerias, Italian trattorias, and bistros pouring Contra Costa County wines.
Brentwood offers many fresh-produce outlets thanks to nearby orchards; U-pick cherries and peaches remain a summer staple.
What Are the Best Things to Do in Brentwood?
Outdoor recreational opportunities include the Marsh Creek Regional Trail for cycling, Shadow Lakes Golf Club for an 18-hole round, and nearby Round Valley Preserve for spring wildflower hikes.
Water lovers enjoy paddleboarding at nearby Discovery Bay or sailing the San Joaquin River Delta. Brentwood is home to vineyards such as Hannah Nicole and Campos Family, which produce award-winning bottles and hosts annual harvest concerts.
The city parks department schedules movies in the park, while art walks pop up around the city core.
FAQs About Moving to Brentwood, CA
How long is the average commute from Brentwood to Oakland?
Most drivers budget 45–60 minutes during peak traffic, though late-evening trips can take 35 minutes. Tri Delta Transit plus BART runs about 75 minutes door to door.
Are there brand-new homes for sale in Brentwood?
Yes. Master-planned projects along Sand Creek and O’Hara Avenue released new phases in 2025, with prices starting in the mid-$700 Ks. Builders often tout energy-efficient features to offset higher housing costs.
Does Brentwood offer public transportation to San Francisco?
There is no direct rail, but Tri Delta Transit buses reach Antioch BART, which connects to the San Francisco Bay rail network. Many commuters drive to Pittsburg-Bay Point BART for faster service.
What outdoor amenities can I expect close to town?
Residents enjoy views of Mount Diablo, access to dozens of city parks, and quick drives to Delta waterways for boating and fishing. Golf courses, bike paths, and community pools round out the amenity list.
How high are property taxes compared with other Bay Area cities?
Contra Costa County applies the statewide 1 percent base rate plus local bonds and assessments, typically totaling 1.15-1.25 percent of assessed value—lower than some South Bay jurisdictions but higher than parts of Solano County.
Is Brentwood considered part of the San Francisco Bay Area?
Yes. Brentwood is located in the far-eastern fringe of the San Francisco Bay Area and shares economic ties, media markets, and commuter patterns with the broader region.
What annual events draw crowds to Brentwood?
Farm Fest (formerly CornFest) each July, the Brentwood Farmers’ Market every Saturday, and fall harvest wine walks highlight the local calendar.
Sources
California EDD County Labor Force Report, July 2025
Tri Delta Transit Network Revamp Announcement
This article is provided for general information only and complies with federal and California fair-housing laws. It does not imply desirability or suitability for any protected class.
