Brea, CA vs Simi Valley, CA

Brea, CA and Simi Valley, CA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.9% difference in their overall index. Brea scores 181 while Simi Valley scores 178 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 $2,513/month in Simi Valley — a 9% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Brea has cheaper rent, Simi Valley actually has lower median home values ($753,500 vs $874,300).

Median household income in Brea is $124,837 compared to $117,703 in Simi Valley (+6.1%). 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 25.6% in Simi Valley.