Cost of Living in Brentwood, LA: What to Expect Before You Move

Brentwood is expensive by any national measure — but it's somewhat more accessible than its Westside neighbors (Beverly Hills, Bel Air) while delivering a comparable quality of life. Understanding the full cost of living here is essential for anyone making the move to 90049.

Housing: Purchase Prices

Flat Areas (Gorham, Kiowa, Goshen, Barrington-adjacent)

These are the most accessible entry points into Brentwood real estate:

| Property Type | Price Range | |---------------|-------------| | 2BR/2BA condo | $1.2M–$2.2M | | 2–3BR townhome | $2M–$3.5M | | 3BR/2BA SFR | $2.5M–$4.5M | | 4BR SFR | $4M–$8M | | 5+ BR SFR (larger lots) | $7M–$15M+ |

Upper Brentwood and Brentwood Heights

North of Sunset on the hillside streets (Hanley, Calle Vista, Westridge): | Property Type | Price Range | |---------------|-------------| | 4BR hillside SFR | $5M–$12M | | Large estate with views | $10M–$25M+ |

Mandeville Canyon and Sullivan Canyon

These canyon communities command premium for their privacy and land: | Property Type | Price Range | |---------------|-------------| | 3–4BR canyon home | $3M–$8M | | Large canyon estate | $6M–$20M | | Horse property | $5M–$15M |

Housing: Rental Market

| Unit Type | Monthly Rent | |-----------|-------------| | 1BR apartment (Barrington area) | $3,000–$5,000 | | 2BR apartment | $4,500–$8,000 | | 3BR condo | $7,000–$13,000 | | 3BR SFR (flat streets) | $10,000–$22,000 | | 4BR SFR | $15,000–$35,000 | | Canyon estate | $25,000–$60,000+ |

Property Taxes

Brentwood is part of the City of LA and Los Angeles County. Effective tax rate: approximately 1.2% of assessed value:

• $3M home: ~$36,000/year
• $7M home: ~$84,000/year
• $15M home: ~$180,000/year

Groceries

Brentwood has excellent grocery access:

• Whole Foods (1050 S. Gayley Ave, Westwood — nearby): Weekly shop for two: $130–$280
• Bristol Farms (on Sunset Blvd in the Palisades): Premium quality. Weekly: $150–$320
• Erewhon (nearest: 5300 Wilshire in Mid-City, or Beverly Hills): Premium organic. $200–$500/week
• Ralphs (multiple nearby): Conventional grocery. Weekly: $80–$180
• Farmshop at the Country Mart (225 26th Street): The best farm-to-table prepared foods in the neighborhood; not a full grocery, but a beloved local resource for dinner provisions and weekend splurges

Brentwood Restaurant Costs: | Setting | Average Cost Per Person | |---------|------------------------| | Farmshop (Country Mart) | $60–$110 | | Baltaire (steakhouse on Sunset) | $85–$150 | | Caffe Roma or Pizzicotto (Italian) | $40–$75 | | Morning coffee (Caffe Luxxe, Blue Star) | $6–$12 |

Transportation

Brentwood is car-dependent — there is no metro rail service, and bus routes serve the area but are not practical for most residents' commute needs. The 405 Freeway is the primary regional connection.

• Gasoline: $4.90–$5.50/gallon (premium) at local stations
• Vehicle insurance: $200–$380/month depending on vehicle value
• Parking: Free in most residential areas; metered on commercial stretches of San Vicente and Barrington
• Uber from Brentwood to LAX: $40–$75

Utilities

| Utility | Monthly Range | |---------|--------------| | Electricity (LADWP) | $150–$600 | | Natural gas (SoCalGas) | $80–$300 | | Water/sewer/trash (LADWP) | $100–$350 | | Internet (Spectrum/AT&T Fiber) | $60–$150 | | Security | $50–$300 |

Homes with large gardens (common in Brentwood) have significantly higher water bills due to landscaping irrigation. Many Brentwood homes have solar panels, reducing electricity costs.

Schools

Public (LAUSD): The great value-add of Brentwood is Kenter Canyon Elementary, which rivals private schools in academic performance:

• Voluntary contributions to Kenter Canyon's parent foundation: $1,000–$3,000/year per family (strongly encouraged)

Private school:

• Brentwood School: ~$47,000/year per child
• The Archer School for Girls: ~$49,000/year per child
• Harvard-Westlake: ~$55,000/year per child

A family with two children in private school: $90,000–$110,000/year in tuition alone.

Household Services

| Service | Monthly Range | |---------|--------------| | Housekeeper (weekly) | $600–$1,400 | | Landscaping | $400–$2,000 | | Pool service | $200–$500 | | Nanny (full-time) | $4,500–$9,000 |

Monthly Budget Estimates

| Household | Monthly Budget | |-----------|---------------| | Single professional (1BR apartment) | $7,000–$12,000 | | Couple (2BR apartment, no children) | $12,000–$20,000 | | Family of 4 (3BR home, public school) | $18,000–$32,000 | | Family of 4 (4BR home, private school) | $28,000–$55,000 |

The Brentwood Value Proposition

Brentwood offers something that pure prestige neighborhoods (Bel Air, Beverly Hills) sometimes don't: a livable, grounded luxury. The coral trees on San Vicente, the Country Mart on a Saturday morning, the easy access to the beach and the 405, and the strong school culture combine to create a neighborhood that many residents genuinely love rather than simply own.

At its price points, Brentwood offers the best quality-of-life-to-cost ratio on the Westside for families and professionals who want to actually live well rather than just live expensively.

LuxeMove is ready to move you here. Contact us to plan your Brentwood relocation, or explore our services.