Brentwood, CA vs Lancaster, CA

The cost of living difference between Brentwood, CA and Lancaster, CA is dramatic. Lancaster is 45.5% cheaper than Brentwood, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Brentwood has a cost index of 182 while Lancaster sits at 125, 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 $1,696/month in Lancaster — a 48% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Lancaster is more affordable at $409,100 median vs $791,600.

Median household income in Brentwood is $139,567 compared to $76,083 in Lancaster (+83.4%). 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 26.7% in Lancaster.