Brentwood, CA vs Elk Grove, CA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Elk Grove is 18.4% cheaper than Brentwood. With a cost index of 154 vs 182, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Elk Grove to Brentwood should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Brentwood is $2,509/month compared to $2,180/month in Elk Grove — a 15% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Elk Grove is more affordable at $603,400 median vs $791,600.

Median household income in Brentwood is $139,567 compared to $122,229 in Elk Grove (+14.2%). The higher salaries in Brentwood partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Brentwood spend roughly 21.6% of their income on rent, more than the 21.4% in Elk Grove.