Brea, CA vs Orange, CA

Brea, CA and Orange, CA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.6% difference in their overall index. Brea scores 181 while Orange scores 182 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 $2,252/month in Orange — a 2% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Orange has cheaper rent, Brea actually has lower median home values ($874,300 vs $900,700).

Median household income in Brea is $124,837 compared to $116,945 in Orange (+6.7%). Brea offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Brea spend roughly 22% of their income on rent, less than the 23.1% in Orange.