Living in Brea, California
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Brea · Census data 2020–2024
Brea has 47,469 residents with a median age of 39.7. The median household income is $131,129 (32% higher than the California median), the median home value is $922,300, the median rent is $2,397/month.
Brea at a glance
- Population
- 47,469
- Median age
- 39.7State: 37.9
- Median household income
- $131,129State: $99,122
- Median home value
- $922,300State: $734,700
- Median rent
- $2,397/moState: $2,036
- Homeowners
- 59.7%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 52.2%
- Average commute
- 31 min
Is Brea a good place to live?
Pros: Median household income 32% higher than the California median; unemployment of 5.1%; a poverty rate of 6.6%.
Cons: Home values 26% higher than the state median; an average commute of 31 minutes.
The weather is best in April to June and November.
Cost of living in Brea
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Brea the median home value is $922,300, 177% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $2,397 per month, which is 31.2% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $3,411 a month in housing costs.
Brea median household income
The median household income in Brea is $131,129 and the income per person is $57,210. 6.6% of residents live below the poverty line (California: 12%).
Housing in Brea: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 17,373
- Owner-occupied
- 59.7%
- Renter-occupied
- 40.3%
- Vacant
- 3.4%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1978
- Average household size
- 2.82
Brea demographics
- Population
- 47,469
- Median age
- 39.7
- Under 18
- 22.7%
- 65 and older
- 17.2%
- Households
- 16,787
- Foreign-born
- 24.4%
- Veterans
- 4.2%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Brea ›
Education in Brea
52.2% of adults 25 and older in Brea have a bachelor's degree or higher (California: 37.1%), and 20.7% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Brea
- Unemployment rate
- 5.1%State: 6.6%
- Average commute
- 31 minState: 29 min
- Work from home
- 15.4%
- Drive alone
- 74.1%
- Public transit
- 0.6%
- Walk to work
- 0.9%
- Homes with broadband
- 95.9%
Brea vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brea | 47,469 | $131,129 | $922,300 | $2,397 |
| Placentia | 52,826 | $115,929 | $921,000 | $2,388 |
| Rowland Heights | 45,911 | $85,617 | $851,300 | $1,967 |
| Fullerton | 140,968 | $104,286 | $902,600 | $2,194 |
| La Habra | 61,970 | $100,106 | $781,600 | $2,129 |
| La Habra Heights | 5,478 | $179,583 | $1,201,000 | $1,206 |
| Yorba Linda | 67,170 | $157,582 | $1,147,100 | $2,846 |
| Diamond Bar | 53,355 | $108,281 | $902,200 | $2,521 |
| South San Jose Hills | 16,911 | $94,806 | $544,400 | $1,884 |
More for people moving to Brea
Brea ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Brea: FAQ
What is the median household income in Brea, CA?
The median household income in Brea is $131,129, 32% higher than the California median of $99,122 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Brea?
The median home value in Brea is $922,300, compared with $734,700 in California.
How much is rent in Brea?
The median gross rent in Brea is $2,397 per month, about 31.2% of household income.
Is Brea, CA a good place to live?
Pluses: median household income 32% higher than the California median; unemployment of 5.1%; a poverty rate of 6.6%. Minuses: home values 26% higher than the state median; an average commute of 31 minutes.
What is the median age in Brea?
The median age in Brea is 39.7 years (California: 37.9).
How long is the commute in Brea?
The average commute to work in Brea is 31 minutes; 15.4% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Brea?
The unemployment rate in Brea is 5.1% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Brea?
52.2% of adults in Brea have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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