Cost of Living in Brentwood, MD

Population 3,753 · Maryland · Data vintage 2023

129

Cost Index
(100 = US avg)

Page updated: April 2026 · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year

Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Under 25,000 residents gives Brentwood a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $413,000.

Geographically, Brentwood is part of the immediate Washington metro area. Median home values run roughly 43% lower than Washington's $725,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 135

Rent 119

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Brentwood

The median home value in Brentwood is $413,100 — 35% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,564/month, 19% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $70,573/year is 5% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.2%, below the national average of 4.8%. Maryland's top state income tax rate is 5.8% and the combined sales tax is 6.0%. Overall, Brentwood has a cost of living index of 129 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 29% more expensive.

📍

Brentwood has limited residential data

Detailed housing and income data is limited for this location. Here are the nearest cities with full cost of living data:

Hyattsville, MD

Median home: $463,500

Rent: $1,831/mo

Income: $94,231

Chillum, MD

Median home: $383,900

Rent: $1,733/mo

Income: $78,513

East Riverdale, MD

Median home: $346,700

Rent: $1,649/mo

Income: $82,401

Langley Park, MD

Median home: $348,700

Rent: $1,675/mo

Income: $82,038

Takoma Park, MD

Median home: $721,500

Rent: $1,388/mo

Income: $97,872

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value

$413,100

35% above avg

Zillow Home Value

$506,964

Zillow ZHVI

Median Rent

$1,564/mo

19% above avg

Price-to-Rent Ratio

22.0x

Favors renting

Property Tax Rate

1.1%

Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio

$1,407

1 BR

$1,604

2 BR

$1,898

3 BR

$2,407

4 BR

$2,822

Owner-occupied 44.6%

Renter-occupied 55.4%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent

$1,564

Groceries national estimate

$400

Utilities local estimate

$88

Transportation local gas prices

$126

Estimated Total $2,178/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚

Eggs (dozen)

$0.548

🍞

White Bread (lb)

$1.912

🥩

Ground Beef (lb)

$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute

37.0 min

37% above avg

Gas Price

$3.145/gal

0% below avg

Work From Home

11.3%

Commute Mode

Drove alone

50.0%

Carpooled

9.5%

Public transit

21.0%

Walked

0.8%

Work from home

11.3%

⚡ Utilities

Electricity

$0.176/kWh

0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 5.8%

Total Sales Tax 6.0%

State rate 6.0%

Avg local rate 0.0%

Property Tax 1.1%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income

$70,573

5% below avg

Per Capita Income

$34,672

Unemployment Rate

4.2%

12% below avg

Poverty Rate

11.9%

Labor Force Participation

74.5%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 11.4%

Graduate degree 9.6%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 35.6

Male median age 34

Female median age 37

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 44 — Good

69.3%

Good air days/yr

192

Max AQI recorded

138

PM2.5 days

226

Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Brentwood, MD?

Brentwood has a cost index of 129 (100 = national average). It is 29% above the national average.

What is average rent in Brentwood, MD?

The median gross rent in Brentwood is $1,564 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Brentwood?

The median home value in Brentwood is $413,100 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Brentwood?

The median household income in Brentwood is $70,573 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Brentwood, MD?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Brentwood is 6.0%. The Maryland state income tax top rate is 5.8%.

Is Brentwood, MD affordable?

Brentwood is above average in cost of living, with an index of 129 — about 29% higher than the national average.

Brentwood at a Glance

Population: 3,753
Median Income: $70,573
Home Value: $413,100
Median Rent: $1,564/mo
Unemployment: 4.2%
Sales Tax: 6.0%

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