Brea, CA vs Irvine, CA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Brea
64.3
#1700 nationally
Irvine
67.2
#1452 nationally
Irvine leads in average commute (25.8 min vs 31.1 min). Brea leads in walk score (50 vs 44). Brea leads in median household income ($120,226 vs $116,519).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Brea, CA | Irvine, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 64.3 (#1700) | 67.2 (#1452) |
| Population | 48,479 | 307,670 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,134,146 | $1,517,431 |
| Median Household Income | $120,226 | $116,519 |
| Average Commute | 31.1 min | 25.8 min |
| Walk Score | 50 | 44 |
| Crime Level | 5.8 | Very Low |
| School Rating | N/A | 9.5 |
| Cost of Living Index | 178 | 178 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+2.6 | D+2.6 |
D
64.3 Score
Brea, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,134,146
Population
48,479
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
50
Pacific
View Brea, CA →
D+
67.2 Score
Irvine, CA
Master-planned perfection in Southern California
Median Home
$1,517,431
Population
307,670
Crime
Very Low
Schools
A+
Pacific
View Irvine, CA →