Brentwood, CA vs Palmdale, CA

The cost of living difference between Brentwood, CA and Palmdale, CA is dramatic. Palmdale is 41.7% cheaper than Brentwood, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Brentwood has a cost index of 182 while Palmdale sits at 129, 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 $1,736/month in Palmdale — a 45% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Palmdale is more affordable at $435,300 median vs $791,600.

Median household income in Brentwood is $139,567 compared to $81,151 in Palmdale (+72%). 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 25.7% in Palmdale.