Brea, CA

California · Metropolitan Area

Brea is a mid-size city in California with a population of 47,337. Residents earn $124,837 per year, which is 66% above the national average.

3.4 /5.0
B Good
47,337 Population 3,742/sq mi density
$124,837 Median Income $53,128 per capita
$874,300 Home Value $1,115,211 Zillow
$2,285 Median Rent
68°F Avg Temperature
128 Violent Crime/100K 2,718 property/100K
B
Overall
3.4 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.8 / 5.0
$124,837 median income, 3.4% unemployment
C+
Affordability
2.7 / 5.0
$874,300 home value, $2,285/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
128 violent crimes/100K (66% below avg)
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
50.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $124,837
66% higher than US avg
Home Value $874,300
210% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 128/100K
66% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 50.2%
49% higher than US avg
Median Rent $2,285
96% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 22.1%
31% lower than US avg
Unemployment 3.4%
6% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 4.5%
64% lower than US avg

How Brea Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population47,337
Median Age39.6 yrs
Density3,742/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 47%

Economy

A+
Median Income$124,837
Per Capita$53,128
Unemployment3.4%
Poverty4.5%
County GDP$351,753M
Commute31 min

Housing

C+
Home Value$874,300
Rent$2,285
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$1,115,211

Crime

F
Violent128/100K
Property2,718/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault63/100K
Burglary413/100K

Health

Obesity22.1%
UninsuredN/A
Depression19.0%
Heart Disease4.3%

Climate

Avg Temp68°F
AQI48 (Good)
Rain13.5 in/yr
Elevation584 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+50.2%
High School+93.2%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 47% / D 50%
Commute31 min
EV Stations22
Libraries67

Is Brea a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Brea receives an overall livability score of 3.4 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, low crime rates, a highly educated population. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. Brea offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Brea is $124,837, which is significantly higher than the national average — 66% above $75,149. This places Brea among higher-income communities. Unemployment stands at 3.4%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 4.5% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 31 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Brea is $874,300, making it a premium housing market at 210% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $2,285 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. The price-to-income ratio of 7x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Brea is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 128 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 2,718 per 100,000, 39% above the national average.

Education

Brea is a highly educated community — 50.2% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 93.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Brea enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 68°F. Winters average 60°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 13.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Brea has a population of 47,337 with a density of 3,742 people per square mile. The median age is 39.6 years, 2% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (46.6%), with 2.1% Hispanic, 1.8% Black.

Population

47,337
Total Population
3,742
People / sq mi
39.6yrs
Median Age
2% above US avg
12.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 46.9%
Female 53.1%

Race & Ethnicity

Brea vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only64.3%
18% below US avg
Spanish35.7%
166% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Brea vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Brea is $124,837, which is 66% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.4% (below the 3.6% US average). 4.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 31 minutes.

Income: Brea vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$124,837
66% above US avg
Per Capita Income$53,128
Avg Weekly Wage$1,565
IRS Avg AGI$116,511

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.4%
6% below US avg
Poverty Rate4.5%
64% below US avg
Establishments (County)148,394
County GDP$351,753M

Business (County)

Restaurants8,853
Healthcare13,951
Retail9,811
Manufacturing4,357

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$10,097
188% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.15%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time31.1 min
Work from Home12.9%

Walkability

The median home value in Brea is $874,300, 210% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $2,285 (96% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $1,115,211.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$874,300
210% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$1,115,211
Median List Price$1,160,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$1,160,000
$/Sq Ft$605
Homes Sold18
Sale-to-List Ratio103.7%
Price Drops15.8%
Inventory38

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$2,285
96% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$2,772

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,513
1 Bedroom$1,647
2 Bedrooms$2,053
3 Bedrooms$2,752
4 Bedrooms$3,165

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied60.3%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$10,097
188% above US avg
Effective Rate1.15%
In Brea, 22.1% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 19.0% report depression. 20.4% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Brea vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity22.1%
31% below US avg
Diabetes9.1%
Heart Disease4.3%
High Blood Pressure25.0%
Asthma8.8%
COPD3.6%
Stroke2.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking16.0%
Physical Inactivity20.4%
Depression19.0%
Mental Distress15.8%
Physical Distress10.7%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.4%
Checkup Rate72.5%
Premature Death5,325/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.1/10
Exercise Access99.1%
Healthcare Facilities13,951
Brea has a violent crime rate of 128 per 100,000 residents, 66% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 2,718 per 100,000 (39% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Brea vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent128.2/100K
66% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape12.1/100K
Robbery53.2/100K
Assault62.9/100K

Property Crime

Total Property2,717.7/100K
39% above US avg
Burglary413.5/100K
Theft2,168.8/100K
Vehicle Theft135.4/100K
Arson7.3/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)238
FEMA Disasters364

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Brea has an average annual temperature of 68°F (20°C). Winters average 60°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation is 13.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

60°F Jan (16°C) 76°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average67.7°F
25% above US avg
January Average60°F (16°C)
July Average76°F (25°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall13.5 inches
64% below US avg
Snowfall0.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation584 ft (178 m)
Area12.7 sq mi (32.8 km²)
Population Density3,742/sq mi
Coordinates33.9252°N, 117.8651°W
County FIPS06059
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 50.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (49% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 2.7-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 47.1%
D 49.7%

Winner: Democrat by 2.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+50.2%
49% above US avg
High School+93.2%
School Test Score4.69
A+ Education Grade (5.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density3,742/sq mi
Total Area12.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations22
Alt Fuel Stations28
Public Libraries67
Healthcare Facilities13,951
Restaurants8,853
Retail Stores9,811

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)238
FEMA Disaster Declarations364
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute31.1 min
Work from Home12.9%

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