Brea, CA vs Fullerton, CA

Brea, CA and Fullerton, CA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.5% difference in their overall index. Brea scores 181 while Fullerton scores 175 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Brea is $2,285/month compared to $2,124/month in Fullerton — a 8% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fullerton is more affordable at $859,600 median vs $874,300.

Median household income in Brea is $124,837 compared to $104,219 in Fullerton (+19.8%). While Brea is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Brea spend roughly 22% of their income on rent, less than the 24.5% in Fullerton.