Brea, CA vs Waltham, MA
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
Waltham
66.7
#1517 nationally
Waltham leads in average commute (24.6 min vs 31.1 min). Brea leads in crime level (5.8 vs 6.9). Waltham leads in walk score (57 vs 50).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Brea, CA | Waltham, MA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 64.3 (#1700) | 66.7 (#1517) |
| Population | 48,479 | 64,477 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,134,146 | $831,292 |
| Median Household Income | $120,226 | $113,443 |
| Average Commute | 31.1 min | 24.6 min |
| Walk Score | 50 | 57 |
| Crime Level | 5.8 | 6.9 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 178 | 164 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+2.6 | D+39.5 |
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
66.7 Score
Waltham, MA
Massachusetts community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$831,292
Population
64,477
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
57
Northeast
View Waltham, MA →