Brentwood, CA vs Oakdale, CA

The cost of living difference between Brentwood, CA and Oakdale, CA is dramatic. Oakdale is 55.8% cheaper than Brentwood, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Brentwood has a cost index of 182 while Oakdale sits at 117, 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 $1,471/month in Oakdale — a 71% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Oakdale is more affordable at $432,800 median vs $791,600.

Median household income in Brentwood is $139,567 compared to $86,478 in Oakdale (+61.4%). 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, more than the 20.4% in Oakdale.