Brentwood, CA vs Cudahy, CA

The cost of living difference between Brentwood, CA and Cudahy, CA is dramatic. Cudahy is 37.8% cheaper than Brentwood, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Brentwood has a cost index of 182 while Cudahy sits at 132, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Brentwood is $2,509/month compared to $1,667/month in Cudahy — a 51% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Cudahy is more affordable at $505,300 median vs $791,600.

Median household income in Brentwood is $139,567 compared to $52,748 in Cudahy (+164.6%). While Brentwood is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Brentwood spend roughly 21.6% of their income on rent, less than the 37.9% in Cudahy. The Brentwood ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.