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City Report · CA

Brentwood

Pop. 65,208·97th most expensive in California·Brentwood rents are up 8.3% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$3,365/mo
Year-over-Year
+8.3%
Month-over-Month
+2.9%
vs US Median
+$1,400
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Brentwood · $3,365
More expensive than 95% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
51/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are right about where Brentwood's 10-year trend predicts.

Actual rent
$3,365/mo
Expected by trend
$3,388/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Brentwood's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$2,150
1 BR
$2,450
2 BR
$2,980
3 BR
$3,810
4 BR+
$4,530
Research median
$2,980/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$40,380/yr
At $3,365/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 8.3% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+8.3% YoY, +2.9% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Brentwood, CA is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income above the national average, 39.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
65,208
Median income
$142,494
Median age
40.2
Renters
17.8%
Age distribution
26.3%
17.7%
28.1%
12.1%
15.8%
Under 1826.3%
18–3417.7%
35–5428.1%
55–6412.1%
65+15.8%
Gender
48.3%
51.7%
Male48.3%
Female51.7%
Race & ethnicity
46%
27.1%
15.7%
White46%
Black8.5%
Hispanic27.1%
Asian15.7%
Other2.6%
Education (25+)
20%
32.5%
39.3%
No HS diploma8.3%
HS diploma20%
Some college32.5%
Bachelor's+39.3%
Housing tenure
82.2%
17.8%
Owner82.2%
Renter17.8%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Brentwood, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$2,817 → $3,365
up 19.5%
Income
$125,152 → $142,494
up 13.9%
Population
63,618 → 65,208
up 2.5%
Renter share
19.8% → 17.8%
-2.0 pts
Bachelor's+
37.5% → 39.3%
+1.8 pts

Compared with 2021, rent in Brentwood, CA has climbed by $548 per month, settling near $3,365 after starting the period at $2,817. On the earnings side, the typical household in Brentwood, CA now reports about $142,494, up from $125,152 in 2021. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 5.6 percentage points, which means renters are spending a larger slice of each paycheck on housing than they did in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 63,618 to 65,208 between 2021 and 2024, a 2.5% change. About 17.8% of households rent today, against 19.8% in 2021. For context, the 2021 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and Brentwood, CA reflects that arc in its own way.

Community

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View Brentwood rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Brentwood on your salary?

At $3,365/mo, how Brentwood rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Brentwood rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Brentwood. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Brentwood

About renting in Brentwood, CA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Brentwood is $3,365/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,150/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,980/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,450/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,810/mo.

At 28% of local median household income ($142,494/yr), Brentwood ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 8.3% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Brentwood an affordable city for renters?

Brentwood is considered affordable for renters. At $3,365/mo, rent takes approximately 28% of the local median household income ($142,494/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Brentwood falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Brentwood?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $135,000/year (~$65/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $3,365/mo in Brentwood. The local median household income is $142,494/yr, meaning the typical Brentwood household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Brentwood?

Rent in Brentwood has increased 8.3% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Brentwood rent compare to other cities in California?

Brentwood is one of the pricier cities in California for rent, ranking #97 out of 387 tracked cities at $3,365/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Brentwood?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Brentwood ($3,365/mo): Pittsburg ($2,396/mo), Antioch ($2,575/mo), Tracy ($2,717/mo).

What percentage of Brentwood residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 17.8% of Brentwood households are renters, while 82.2% are owner-occupied. Brentwood leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Brentwood rent compare to the national average?

Brentwood's median rent of $3,365/mo is $1,400 (71%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within California, it ranks #97 out of 387 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
28%
AFFORDABLE

At $3,365/mo, rent takes ~28% of Brentwood's median household income ($142,494/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Brentwood 28%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
Run the Brentwood affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Brentwood, CA

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