The average rent in Brentwood, TN sits around $4,500 a month across all property types, according to April 2026 data from Zillow. That number is high for a reason: this town runs on large single-family homes, not apartment complexes, and the broad average reflects that.
Renters here face a real fork in the road. You're choosing between a small pool of apartment communities and a larger inventory of leased houses, and the price difference between those two paths is substantial. Knowing what each one costs before you start touring saves you from wasting time on properties that don't fit your budget.
Key Takeaway
Apartment rent in Brentwood averages around $1,860 a month. However, the town's overall average rent reflects a market built around single-family homes. If you need a yard or a third bedroom, a leased house is the pick, though it costs more. If you expect to stay five years or longer, price a townhouse purchase against your rent before you renew.
Who This Guide Is For
You're planning to rent in Brentwood and are deciding between an apartment, a leased house, or running the numbers on buying a townhouse instead.
Current Rent Averages in Brentwood, TN
Zillow reports an average rent of $4,500 per month for Brentwood as of April 2026. To understand why that number is so high, consider what the housing stock looks like: 194 of the 208 homes sold here over the 90 days ending September 30, 2026, were single-family houses. The median sale price for one of those houses is currently $1,424,432.
When houses dominate the supply, the broad rental average ends up describing a leased home rather than a typical apartment. If a house is what you're after, that figure is a reasonable place to anchor your budget. If you're apartment hunting, keep reading.
Comparing Brentwood to Nashville and the Region
Regional benchmarks cover a wide range depending on what they measure. HUD's Fiscal Year 2026 Fair Market Rents for the Nashville metro area, which includes Williamson County, set a two-bedroom at $1,730 and a three-bedroom at $2,211. Zillow reported Nashville's median rent at $2,258 in mid-2024.
The Census American Community Survey also tracks median gross rent for Brentwood and Tennessee, though this data lags behind current market rates.
Here's the problem with official Census or HUD figures: they cover the whole metro or trail by years, which makes the area look cheaper than what's listed today. Use current asking rent to build your budget, and treat the official numbers as a floor, not a target.
What Different Property Types Cost per Month
Breaking the averages down by property type reveals a clear price ladder. Apartments are the lowest-cost entry point into Brentwood. Single-family homes command a significant premium. Townhouses sit in the middle, offering more space than an apartment without the full upkeep of a detached house. Availability and lease terms vary across all three.
Apartment Rates by Bedroom Count
As of September 1, 2026, RentCafe reports the average apartment rent in Brentwood at $1,860 for a 921-square-foot unit. A one-bedroom averages $1,674 per month; a two-bedroom averages $2,001. That's roughly $327 more a month to gain a second bedroom.
Apartments are the most affordable way to live here and the only option with on-site management. The catch is that Brentwood has very few apartment communities, so popular unit sizes can be scarce. Ask the leasing office for the last two years of renewal increases on your specific floor plan, because that's where costs climb over time.
Leasing a Single-Family House
If you want the town's dominant home type without buying, leasing a house is the realistic path. Zillow data from October 2026 shows 30 houses for rent in Brentwood, with asking rents ranging from $1,352 to $20,000. That average sits well above what you'd pay for a two-bedroom apartment.
If schools factor into your search, confirm the assignment for any address directly with the Williamson County Schools zone lookup. Don't rely on what a listing says about school zoning.
One thing to read carefully before signing: single-family homes take a median 61 days to sell, and some owners are leasing while they wait on the market. That means you could face showings or a mid-lease sale. Check the sale clause and the early-termination language before you commit.
Townhouse Rental Options
Townhouses are a middle-ground option, but supply is genuinely thin. Only 20 townhouses were listed for sale in the latest 90-day window, and rentals represent a fraction of that total. At any given time, your choices will be limited. HOA rules in some complexes restrict leasing further, so ask specifically whether the community allows it before you get attached to a unit.
Recent Rent and Price Trends
Rent in Brentwood increased by $795 over the past year, according to April 2026 Zillow data. The sale market tells a different story: the median sale price for all homes is down 3.6% year over year, with 4.9 months of supply sitting on the market.
For renters, that softening sale market creates some room to work with. Owners competing for tenants or waiting on a sale may be more willing to negotiate lease length or move-in costs. Before making a counteroffer, ask how long the rental has been sitting.
To see the full sale trend and how it's affecting local inventory, check the latest Brentwood housing market trends.
Renting vs. Buying a Home in Brentwood
Buying locks in your monthly payment, but the upfront costs here are substantial. The choice often comes down to whether you want a detached house or a townhouse, because the price difference between those two is enormous.
The Cost to Buy a House
Single-family home prices are down 3.3% year over year, and homes are selling at 96.9% of list price. There's some room to negotiate, but this is not a discount market.
A 3.1% gap between list and sale price on a seven-figure house still leaves the purchase far above most rental budgets. The recent price dip doesn't change much for a renter weighing a house purchase against the monthly lease cost.
For details on financing and closing steps, review the guide to the buying process in Brentwood. You can also compare subdivision prices to see how costs vary across town.
Running the Numbers on a Townhouse
Townhouses offer the one ownership option that lands closer to a renter's budget. The median sale price sits at $382,455, down 9.8% year over year (based on 10 townhouse sales, so treat as a rough guide). For illustration only: a 20% down payment on that median price, paired with the October 2026 average 30-year fixed mortgage rate of 7.24%, results in a monthly principal and interest payment worth comparing against rent.
You'll also need to factor in property taxes based on city and county rates, plus monthly HOA dues. Stack that total against the two-bedroom apartment figure of $2,001. One other thing to know: townhouses take a median 112 days to sell but still close at 99.5% of list price, which means sellers wait rather than cut their price.
A few caveats. The townhouse figures rest on only 10 recent sales, so one outlier transaction can move the median. HOA dues don't show up in public data feeds and can shift the math considerably. Ask the HOA for current dues and any planned special assessments before you draw conclusions.
Deciding Which Option Fits Your Budget
Your timeline, space requirements, and budget all point toward different property types. A few direct questions can help you filter out the options that don't fit before you spend a weekend touring the wrong ones.
Space Requirements and Bedroom Counts
Do you need a yard, a garage, or a third bedroom? If yes, focus on leasing a single-family home. If not, start with apartments, where dropping a bedroom saves you over $300 a month.
What you trade away with house rentals is predictability. They turn over irregularly, so a narrow must-have list can leave you waiting weeks for the right match.
Timeframes for Renting vs. Buying
How long are you planning to stay? If it's under three years, renting usually wins because buying and selling costs outpace any equity you'd build. At five years or more, run the townhouse comparison with real HOA dues before you sign a lease renewal.
Plans change, though. A purchase you end up selling in two years could cost more than the rent you were trying to escape.
Handling Rentals That Are Also Listed for Sale
Is the house you're considering also listed for sale, or was it recently? Treat a dual listing as negotiating context for your lease length and terms, but also treat it as a genuine risk to your tenancy. If you're a current owner weighing the same decision, you can compare a home value estimate for selling versus leasing.
Get the sale clause and any showing notice requirements in writing. A motivated seller may accept a lower rent now and still sell the home out from under you.
At a Glance
- Median sale price, all homes: $1,349,357, down 3.6% year over year (90 days ending 2026-09-30; 208 sales)
- Median sale price, single-family homes: $1,424,432, down 3.3% year over year (90 days ending 2026-09-30; 194 sales)
- Median price per square foot, single-family homes: $358 (90 days ending 2026-09-30)
- Median days on market, single-family homes: 61; sale-to-list ratio 96.9%; 8.4% sold above list (90 days ending 2026-09-30)
- Months of supply: 4.9 for all homes and 4.8 for single-family homes; inventory 333 all homes, 307 single-family (90 days ending 2026-09-30)
- Median sale price, townhouses: $382,455, down 9.8% year over year (90 days ending 2026-09-30; based on only 10 sales, so treat as a rough guide)
- Townhouses: median 112 days on market, 99.5% sale-to-list, $221 median price per square foot, 6 months of supply, 20 listed (90 days ending 2026-09-30; based on 10 sales)
Brentwood, TN Rent FAQs
Is It More Expensive to Rent in Brentwood or Franklin, TN?
Yes, rent costs differ between the two cities. The Census American Community Survey provides median gross rent figures for both Brentwood and Franklin to help you compare. Both cities sit in Williamson County, so review local cost of living details before signing a lease.
Is Brentwood, TN Expensive to Live In?
Yes, housing costs in Brentwood run higher than state averages. Census American Community Survey figures lag behind current asking rents, so use them as a baseline rather than a current market guide. For a complete picture of utilities and daily expenses, review the local cost of living details.
Is Brentwood, TN a Wealthy Area?
The area features high property values, with an all-homes median sale price of $1,349,357 based on 208 sales over the 90 days ending September 30, 2026. This reflects a market dominated by large, high-value properties. Prices vary across individual subdivisions.
What Is the Average Rent per Square Foot in Brentwood, TN?
RentCafe reports the average apartment unit in Brentwood at 921 square feet as of September 2026. Dividing that size into the average monthly rent comes out to roughly $2.02 per square foot.
What Is the 30% Rent Rule, and What Income Does Brentwood Rent Require?
The 30% rule suggests keeping monthly rent at or below that share of your gross income. Applied to a two-bedroom apartment, you'd need a gross annual income of about $80,040. Many landlords screen at three times the monthly rent, but treat that as a guideline, not financial advice.
What Fees and Deposits Should I Expect When Renting in Brentwood?
Check whether the Tennessee Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act applies in Williamson County, as this dictates how landlords hold and return security deposits. Policies vary by landlord. Get pet rent, pet deposits, application fees, and the security deposit amount in writing before you apply.
Is Brentwood, TN in Davidson County?
No, Brentwood is in Williamson County. HUD still sets Fair Market Rents for Brentwood as part of the Nashville metro area. For Fiscal Year 2026, HUD lists the Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit in that metro at $1,730.
How Far Is Brentwood, TN from Downtown Nashville?
Check an official mapping source for the exact mileage from your specific address to downtown Nashville. Commute times vary by time of day and traffic. Test the drive at your own commute hour before you sign a lease.