Brea, CA vs Thousand Oaks, CA

Brea is moderately more affordable than Thousand Oaks, with a 7.6% lower cost of living index. Brea scores 181 compared to 196 for Thousand Oaks, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Thousand Oaks 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 $2,580/month in Thousand Oaks — a 11% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Brea is more affordable at $874,300 median vs $951,200.

Median household income in Brea is $124,837 compared to $134,367 in Thousand Oaks (-7.1%). The higher salaries in Thousand Oaks partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Brea spend roughly 22% of their income on rent, less than the 23% in Thousand Oaks.