Brentwood Area Guide

Commuter Town

Essex town with High Street character, good schools, and fast Elizabeth Line service. This guide covers everything you need to know about living in Brentwood — from property prices and crime statistics to school ratings and transport links. All data comes from official UK government sources and is updated regularly.

£442k

Median property price ↑ 4.0%

62

Crimes per 1,000 residents

18

Schools (12 Good/Outstanding)

Good

Transport rating · Brentwood

About Brentwood

Overview

Essex town with High Street character, good schools, and fast Elizabeth Line service. Located in East, Brentwood has a population of approximately 50,285 residents, making it a smaller commuter town by UK standards. The primary postcode area is CM14.

Brentwood sits within East and is well connected to neighbouring areas. The local property market is at the mid-range end of the spectrum, with a median price of £442k that is 17% above the East average of £377k. The area has a moderate crime rate compared to similar areas.

Key facts about Brentwood

Good public transport connections
Nearest station: Brentwood
Region: East
Population: ~50,285
Median property price: £442k
Crime rate: 62 per 1,000
Ofsted: 67% schools Good/Outstanding

Property prices in Brentwood (2026)

Based on HM Land Registry Price Paid data, updated regularly.

£442k

Median price

↑ 4.0%

Year-on-year change

Property market analysis

The median property price in Brentwood currently stands at £442k, placing it in the mid-range segment of the East market. This is 17% above the East average of £377k. Over the past twelve months, prices in Brentwood have been on an upward trend, with a year-on-year change of +4.0%.

This rate of growth outpaces many comparable areas in East and suggests continued demand from buyers. Factors driving price appreciation may include transport improvements, new developments, or an influx of buyers priced out of more expensive neighbouring areas.

For context, the most affordable areas in East have median prices around £203k, while the most expensive areas reach £671k. Brentwood sits in the middle of this range.

What types of property are available? The market offers a mix of flats, terraced and semi-detached houses. First-time buyers may find entry-level flats within reach, while families typically look at terraced properties or ex-council stock.

Crime and safety in Brentwood

Crime data sourced from Police.uk, which records all crimes reported to police forces across England and Wales.

Medium crime 62.3 crimes per 1,000 residents

Crime rate analysis

Brentwood has a moderate crime rate of 62.3 offences per 1,000 residents per year. This is above the national average of 55 per 1,000. This is a reassuring figure for an area of this size and suggests a relatively safe environment for residents.

Understanding crime statistics: Raw crime numbers can be misleading without context. Areas with high footfall (shopping centres, transport hubs, nightlife) naturally record more incidents. The crimes-per-1,000-residents metric normalises for population size but does not account for visitors. When assessing safety, consider the types of crime most relevant to you — residential burglary and vehicle crime are more directly relevant to homeowners than shoplifting or public order offences.

For a full breakdown by crime category, monthly trends, and year-on-year comparison, sign up for Check Local's detailed safety report for Brentwood. Our AI-generated analysis puts the numbers in plain English so you can make an informed decision.

Schools in Brentwood

School data from the Department for Education (DfE) and Ofsted.

18

Total schools

67%

Good or Outstanding

Schools analysis

Brentwood has 18 schools in the local area, of which 12 (67%) have been rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted. This represents a reasonable level of school quality. While the majority of schools perform well, parents should research individual schools carefully. Ofsted ratings can change between inspections, and a school's suitability depends on your child's specific needs.

Primary and secondary schools: The area serves families with children of all ages, with both primary and secondary schools available locally. There is a reasonable selection of schools available, giving families some degree of choice.

Catchment areas and admissions: Most schools in Brentwood use distance-based admissions criteria, meaning the closer you live to a school, the more likely your child is to gain a place. Popular schools can have very tight catchment areas. Check Local's detailed schools report shows the distance from any address to every nearby school, with full Ofsted ratings and Key Stage results.

Transport and commuting in Brentwood

Good transport Nearest station: Brentwood

Transport links analysis

Brentwood has good public transport links, with regular services connecting the area to major employment centres and neighbouring towns. The nearest railway station is Brentwood, providing regular services to surrounding areas. Transport connectivity data is sourced from NaPTAN, the official UK database of public transport access points.

For commuters, Brentwood offers strong connectivity. Regular rail services connect the area to major employment centres, and bus routes serve local destinations.

Impact on property values: Transport links are one of the strongest predictors of property prices. Areas within walking distance of a station typically command a premium of 10-15% over areas further away. The good transport connectivity in Brentwood provides solid support for property values.

Living in Brentwood — lifestyle and amenities

Brentwood is a smaller commuter town in East with a population of around 50,285. The area has a good range of local amenities including shops, restaurants, and leisure facilities.

Who lives in Brentwood? The area attracts a mix of young professionals, growing families, and long-term residents. The property market is accessible to those with reasonable deposits or equity from previous homes.

Green spaces and recreation: The area offers access to parks, playing fields, and countryside walks, providing a balance between urban convenience and outdoor recreation.

Shopping and dining: Brentwood has a decent high street with everyday essentials, plus an increasing number of independent shops and restaurants.

Frequently asked questions about Brentwood

Is Brentwood a good place to live?

Brentwood is a smaller commuter town in East with a population of approximately 50,285. It has good transport links, 18 schools (67% rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted), and a median property price of £442k. The crime rate of 62 per 1,000 residents is moderate. Whether it suits you depends on your priorities — use Check Local to compare it with similar areas.

What are property prices like in Brentwood?

The median property price in Brentwood is £442k, which is 17% above the East average of £377k. Prices have been on an upward trend over the past year, with a year-on-year change of +4.0%. This is based on HM Land Registry Price Paid data. Check Local's full report includes breakdowns by property type, historical trends, and new build analysis.

How safe is Brentwood?

Brentwood records approximately 62 crimes per 1,000 residents annually, which is classified as moderate and is above the national average of 55 per 1,000. Crime data is sourced from Police.uk and covers all reported offences. The most common categories in urban areas typically include anti-social behaviour, violence, and shoplifting. Check Local provides a full breakdown by crime category with monthly trends.

What schools are in Brentwood?

There are 18 schools in and around Brentwood, of which 12 (67%) are rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted. This is considered a reasonable performance. School data is sourced from the Department for Education (DfE) and Ofsted. Check Local provides detailed information including individual school ratings, Key Stage results, and proximity to your chosen address.

What is the transport like in Brentwood?

Brentwood has good transport links. The nearest station is Brentwood. Transport data is sourced from NaPTAN (the National Public Transport Access Nodes database). Check Local's full transport lens includes all nearby stations, bus stops, and service frequency data.

Where does this data come from?

All data in this Brentwood area guide is sourced from verified official UK government and public sector data providers. We combine property transaction records, crime statistics, school inspection data, transport network data, and census information to build a complete picture of every area.

We do not scrape, estimate, or fabricate any figures. Check Local processes and combines these official datasets to produce a unified area intelligence report. Our AI then generates plain-English narratives to help you understand what the numbers actually mean for your day-to-day life.