Everything You Should Know Before Moving to Brea, CA
Considering a move to Brea, CA? With a population of 47,325, Brea is a vibrant Orange County city known for excellent schools, sunny weather (80% sunny days per year), and a strong median household income of $108,500. Homebuyers should expect a median home price around $950,000 and renters can find two-bedrooms for about $2,500. Brea boasts low violent crime (75 per 100k), a reasonable commute time of 31 minutes, and easy access to top healthcare and higher education, making it an appealing choice for families and professionals alike.
Demographics - Brea, CA
Brea is home to about 47,325 residents with a balanced gender ratio and a median age of 39, reflecting a diverse community where 44.8% are White, 32.2% Hispanic, and 17.2% Asian. The city features a moderately high population density and nearly one in five residents speak a language other than English at home, creating a culturally vibrant atmosphere.
Population:
47,325
Density:
3,800 per sq mi
Median Age:
39.1
Gender Ratio:
95 males per 100 females
Non-English Speakers Percentage:
18.5%

Ethnic Composition
White:
44.8%
Black:
1.7%
Asian:
17.2%
Others:
4.1%
Cost Of Living
What is the average cost of living in Brea, CA?
Living in Brea comes with a higher cost, as reflected by a cost of living index of 168 and a median home value of $950,000. Residents can expect average rent for a two-bedroom at $2,500, while utilities and transportation align with regional averages, making the city more affordable for higher-income households.
Median House Value:
$950,000
Gross Rent:
$2,500
Monthly Electricity Charges:
$120
Auto Insurance:
$1,900
House Owner Cost With Mortgage:
$3,950
House Owner Cost Without Mortgage:
$850
State Taxes:
Low:
1.0%
|
High:
13.3%
Cost Of Living Index:
168
Grocery:
114
Housing:
246
Utilities:
94
Transportation:
132
Health Care:
112
Miscellaneous:
108
Crime
Is Brea, CA a safe place to live?
Brea offers a safe community environment, with low violent crime rates (75 per 100,000) and a low chance of encountering violent crime at just 1 in 1,333. Property crime is also below many urban averages, providing peace of mind for families and individuals relocating to the area.
Violent Crimes Per 100k:
75
Property Crimes Per 100k:
1,530
Crime Index:
1,605
Chance Of Violent Crime:
1 in 1,333
Chance Of Property Crime:
1 in 65
Weather
What is the weather like in Brea, CA year-round?
Brea enjoys a mild Mediterranean climate, with summer highs averaging 88°F and winter lows rarely dipping below 45°F. The city experiences around 80% sunny days each year and receives about 13 inches of annual rainfall, making it ideal for those who appreciate outdoor activities and year-round pleasant weather.

Winter
Min:
45°F
Max:
69°F

Spring
Min:
51°F
Max:
74°F

Summer
Min:
62°F
Max:
88°F

Fall
Min:
56°F
Max:
80°F
Average Rainfall Inches:
13.1 inches
Sunny Days Percentage:
80%
Neighbors
Residents in Brea benefit from a strong median household income of $108,500 and a low poverty rate of 5.6%. The area is highly educated, with nearly 95% of adults holding at least a high school diploma, and enjoys a low unemployment rate and reasonable commute times.
Median Income:
$54,000
Household Income:
$108,500
Family Income:
$122,700
Per Capita Income:
$46,900
Income Male:
$60,000
Income Female:
$48,000
Poverty Rate:
5.6%
Non English Speakers:
18.5%
Rent:
$2,500
Unemployment Rate:
3.7%
Public Transport Usage:
1.5%
Commute Time:
31.2 minutes

Education
High School or Higher:
94.7%
Bachelors or More:
47.3%
Education
How are the schools in Brea, CA?
Brea offers strong educational opportunities, with reputable public schools such as Brea Olinda High School and access to private schooling options. Higher education is easily accessible, with California State University, Fullerton and Fullerton College located just a few miles away, supporting both families and lifelong learners.

Public Schools
Name:
Brea Olinda High School
Street:
789 Wildcat Way
Phone:
714-990-7850
Students:
1,700
Student Teacher Ratio:
25:1
Name:
Brea Junior High School
Street:
400 N Brea Blvd
Phone:
714-990-7500
Students:
1,050
Student Teacher Ratio:
23:1

Private Schools
Name:
Brea Foursquare Christian School
Street:
1306 N Brea Blvd
Phone:
714-529-4888
Students:
210

Colleges
Name:
California State University, Fullerton
City:
Fullerton
State:
CA
Distance:
3 miles
Students:
40,000
Name:
Fullerton College
City:
Fullerton
State:
CA
Distance:
4 miles
Students:
21,000
Healthcare
Brea residents have convenient access to high-quality healthcare, including major hospitals like St. Jude Medical Center and Placentia-Linda Hospital nearby. With 2.9 physicians per 1,000 people and over 91% health insurance coverage, the city is well-equipped to meet medical needs.

Major Hospitals
Name:
St. Jude Medical Center
Address:
101 E Valencia Mesa Dr, Fullerton, CA 92835
Phone:
(714) 871-3280
Type:
General & Surgical
Emergency Services:
Yes
Name:
Placentia-Linda Hospital
Address:
1301 N Rose Dr, Placentia, CA 92870
Phone:
(714) 993-2000
Type:
General & Surgical
Emergency Services:
Yes
Physicians Per 1000:
2.9
Health Insurance Coverage:
91.4%
Health Care Index:
78
Housing Market
What is the housing market like in Brea, CA?
The Brea housing market features a median home price of $950,000 and a homeownership rate of nearly 64%. Renters can expect average rates around $2,500 for a two-bedroom, and the area’s stable appreciation and low foreclosure rate reflect a healthy, competitive market.
Median Home Price:
$950,000
Average Rent For 2 Bedroom:
$2,500
Owner Occupied Rate:
63.8%
Rental Vacancy Rate:
4.1%
Home Appreciation Rate (1yr):
6.4%
New Construction Rate:
2.3%
Foreclosure Rate:
0.3%
DMV Information
Brea residents are served by the California Department of Motor Vehicles located in nearby Fullerton, offering a full range of licensing and registration services. The DMV is easily accessible and provides support both in-person and online through the state’s official website.
State:
California
Department:
California Department of Motor Vehicles
Address:
1650 E. Yorba Linda Blvd, Fullerton, CA 92831
Phone:
1-800-777-0133
Website:
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is based on publicly available sources including AccuWeather, U.S. Census Bureau, local government data, and third-party partners such as Neustar. While we strive to ensure accuracy, all data is provided “as is” and should be independently verified before making any decisions. Movers.com makes no guarantees regarding the completeness or reliability of the information.