Brea, CA vs Pasadena, CA

Brea is moderately more affordable than Pasadena, with a 6.2% lower cost of living index. Brea scores 181 compared to 193 for Pasadena, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Pasadena can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Brea is $2,285/month compared to $2,218/month in Pasadena — a 3% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Pasadena has cheaper rent, Brea actually has lower median home values ($874,300 vs $1,045,000).

Median household income in Brea is $124,837 compared to $103,778 in Pasadena (+20.3%). 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 25.6% in Pasadena.