salaryRent here is among the highest 10% in the country. Household incomes are higher than in 87% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 6.5 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Commutes are long, about 31.2 minutes each way.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $118,760 a year. That is $57 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other California cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of California. It is number 491 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Brea?
Share of households by yearly income. 51.1% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Brea
| Size | Brea | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,225 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,121 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,677 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,197 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,500+ | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Brea overall?
Everyday prices in California overall are 11% above the U.S. average (index 110.7, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Brea, so the California figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Brea
Life in Brea
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Brea?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $3,430 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $922,300 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $92,230 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Brea, CA?
Renting in Brea costs a median of about $2,969 a month in 2026, including utilities. The California median is $2,357.
How much do I need to make to live in Brea?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $118,760 a year, or $57 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Brea cheap or expensive?
Brea is rated OK: rent takes 25.2% of the typical household income of $141,423. It ranks 491st cheapest of 653 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Brea?
The median homeowner in Brea pays $6,740 a year in property taxes, about 0.73% of the median home value.
Is Brea more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in California are 11% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Brea?
The median home value in Brea is $922,300, about 6.5 times the typical yearly household income.
47,469 people live in Brea. Numbers are typical (middle) values.