Brentwood, CA vs Millbrae, CA

The cost of living difference between Brentwood, CA and Millbrae, CA is dramatic. Brentwood is 39.8% cheaper than Millbrae, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Brentwood has a cost index of 182 while Millbrae sits at 303, 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 $3,401/month in Millbrae — a 26% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Brentwood is more affordable at $791,600 median vs $1,929,700.

Median household income in Brentwood is $139,567 compared to $157,567 in Millbrae (-11.4%). Millbrae does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Brentwood spend roughly 21.6% of their income on rent, less than the 25.9% in Millbrae.