Los Angeles neighborhood guide
Brentwood
Vertical tick marks the LA neighborhood median.
Rent in Brentwood
Why two numbers? Long-term tenants (often in rent-stabilized units) pay less than today's asking prices. Budget from the asking rent, not the resident median.
Rent control: City of Los Angeleshas a Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO). Most buildings first occupied before October 1978 limit annual increases for sitting tenants; newer buildings at least 15 years old fall under California's statewide cap (AB 1482). Check a specific address with the LA Housing Department's ZIMAS tool before signing.
General information, not legal advice.
How Brentwood scores for you
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Brentwood is a primarily residential neighborhood on Los Angeles' Westside, defined by tree-lined streets and a quiet, low-density character. The area is dominated by single-family homes and managed landscaping, making it feel more like a garden community than an urban center. It's the kind of place where you know your neighbors and can walk to a park without crossing major thoroughfares.
Living here
Day-to-day life in Brentwood centers around the car. Most errands require driving, and public transit access is minimal, so you'll want reliable transportation. That said, the neighborhood has good amenities nearby: about 8 restaurants, 3-4 coffee shops, 2 grocery stores, and 2 gyms within a short walk of most blocks. The tree canopy is exceptional (ranks 3rd of 114 LA neighborhoods), so streets are well-shaded and the environment feels maintained and peaceful.
Who it's for
Brentwood works best for renters who have a car and value a quieter, residential setting over walkability and urban convenience. Families and professionals working on the Westside appreciate the low density and good schools, though the cost is steep. It's not ideal for those relying on public transit or preferring to walk to restaurants and nightlife.
Environment & livability
Air quality: below the California median for diesel PM exposure.
Air quality here is better than average for the state. Worth noting if you have respiratory sensitivities.
Traffic exposure: above-average traffic corridor exposure.
Higher traffic proximity correlates with elevated noise, diesel emissions, and reduced pedestrian comfort on nearby streets.
Tree cover: good tree cover, with streets likely shaded.
Tree canopy reduces surface temperatures, absorbs noise, and is consistently linked to lower stress and higher neighborhood satisfaction in urban psychology research.
Walkability: most errands require a car or transit.
Lower intersection density and fewer destinations within walking distance, typical of suburban LA/OC areas.
Transit: minimal transit access, car strongly recommended.
Very infrequent or no meaningful transit nearby. Car dependency is high in this area.
Environmental data from CalEnviroScreen 4.0 and the EPA Smart Location Database. Informational only, not professional advice for a housing decision.
Who lives in Brentwood
Population
18,549
Renters
23%
of households rent
Median age
46
Median income
$214k
per household
Census ACS 5-year estimates.
Schools in Brentwood
4 public schools sit inside this area · 4 with published results. Figures are the share of students who met or exceeded state standards.
| School | Grades | English | Math |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brentwood Science Elementary | K-5 | 52% | 42% |
| Franklin Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 85% | 82% |
| Kenter Canyon Elementary CharterCharter Elementary | K-5 | 80% | 82% |
| Paul Revere Charter MiddleCharter Intermediate/Middle/Junior High | 6-8 | 74% | 65% |
Source: California Dept. of Education (directory) and CAASPP Smarter Balanced, 2025. We publish these figures as the state reports them and show the same table for every neighborhood. Saktoo does not rate schools, and school data is never part of a neighborhood match score. Attendance boundaries change — confirm the assigned school with the district before relying on it.
Around Brentwood
Vicente Foods · Whole Foods Market
Açai Nation · Alfred · Blue Bottle Coffee · Joe & The Juice
A Votre Sante · Amici · Barney's Burgers · Burger Lounge
Barry's · Orangetheory Fitness
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Next to Brentwood
What the census says about Brentwood
Facts about the neighborhood from the American Community Survey. These describe Brentwood; none of them feed the scores above.
- Typical commute
- 24 min
- one way, residents who work
- Settled households
- 75%
- moved in before 2018
- Housing built
- ~1958
- average year of construction
- Above 1 per room
- 1%
- a measure of housing pressure
- Vacant units
- 10%
- of all housing units
- Broadband
- 98%
- of households subscribe
- Detached houses
- 76%
- the rest are attached or apartments
- Typical size
- 3 bed
- median across all homes here
- Homes here
- 9,911
- total housing units
Averaged across 17 areas of about a kilometre each. ACS 5-year estimates.
Brentwood in the regional index
How Brentwood places when every neighborhood in LA and Orange County is scored the same way.
- Where growing up led to higher adult earnings
Ranks #37 of 263 neighborhoods on this weighting.
- Where police report the fewest incidents
Ranks #37 of 254 neighborhoods on this weighting.
- Tree cover, clean air, little traffic
Ranks #48 of 263 neighborhoods on this weighting.
Finding a place in Brentwood
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Frequently asked questions
What's the rent situation in Brentwood?+
New leases average about $4,850 a month (May 2026), which ranks 106th of 114 LA neighborhoods in affordability. That's well above the LA median. One-bedrooms start around $2,470, while two and three-bedroom units run about $3,501. Current residents pay a median of $2,934, but that reflects long-term tenants; budget from the asking rent if you're searching now.
Do I need a car in Brentwood?+
Yes. Walkability is low (most errands require a car), and there are no Metro rail stations nearby. Public transit access ranks 17th of 114, so it's available but limited. Nearly all renters here have vehicles.
What's the air quality and traffic like?+
Air quality is below the California median for diesel PM exposure and ranks 11th of 114 neighborhoods, so it's reasonable but not pristine. Traffic is above average (ranks 54th), reflecting the car-dependent nature of the area and proximity to major corridors.
What kinds of amenities are nearby?+
You'll find restaurants, coffee shops, Whole Foods Market, Vicente Foods, and fitness studios like Barry's and Orangetheory within a short walk. Brentwood ranks 18th of 114 for overall amenities, so there's a solid selection without being densely packed like urban neighborhoods.
Is Brentwood walkable?+
Brentwood ranks #289 of 346 LA neighborhoods for walkability. In practice, most errands require a car or transit.
What is the average rent in Brentwood?+
A new lease in Brentwood typically asks around $4,852 per month (Zillow Observed Rent Index, all unit sizes blended). Current residents pay a median of about $3,003 (Census ACS), which includes long-term and rent-stabilized tenants, so expect asking prices closer to the first number.
How is the air quality in Brentwood?+
Brentwood has below the California median for diesel PM exposure, based on CalEnviroScreen 4.0 diesel particulate data (percentile 38 of 100, lower is cleaner).
Which LA neighborhoods are similar to Brentwood?+
Based on walkability, rent levels, amenities, and environment, the most similar neighborhoods to Brentwood are Hollywood Hills West, La Cañada Flintridge, Las Flores Foothills and Rolling Hills Estates.