Cost of Living in Brea, CA - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,024 (excluding rent), and $2,655 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,787 (excluding rent), and $5,775 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.09 $20.09

$17.07 $17.07

$60.3 $60.3

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$86 $86

$60.7 $60.7

$177 $177

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.8 $9.8

$14.7 $14.7

Cappuccino

$4.93 $4.93

$3.94 $3.94

$9.85 $9.85

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.6 $2.6

$1.95 $1.95

$2.92 $2.92

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.95 $1.95

$2.92 $2.92

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.79 $6.79

$3.88 $3.88

$10.67 $10.67

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.15 $7.15

$6.13 $6.13

$10.22 $10.22

Milk (1 liter)

$1.07 $1.07

$0.91 $0.91

$1.3 $1.3

White Bread (500g)

$3.9 $3.9

$2.13 $2.13

$5.46 $5.46

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.81 $4.81

$1.78 $1.78

$6.76 $6.76

Eggs

$4.58 $4.58

$3.05 $3.05

$13.24 $13.24

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.68 $12.68

$5.37 $5.37

$17.94 $17.94

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$11.6 $11.6

$4.42 $4.42

$29.72 $29.72

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$14.58 $14.58

$8.83 $8.83

$27.62 $27.62

Apples (1kg)

$3.55 $3.55

$2.84 $2.84

$13.6 $13.6

Banana (1kg)

$1.85 $1.85

$1.41 $1.41

$4.34 $4.34

Oranges (1kg)

$3.94 $3.94

$1.8 $1.8

$11.24 $11.24

Tomato (1kg)

$5.57 $5.57

$1.68 $1.68

$11.25 $11.25

Potato (1kg)

$3.19 $3.19

$1.08 $1.08

$6.52 $6.52

Onion (1kg)

$3.07 $3.07

$1.78 $1.78

$4.51 $4.51

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.94 $1.94

$0.97 $0.97

$1.94 $1.94

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.11 $2.11

$1.37 $1.37

$2.93 $2.93

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10.05 $10.05

Wine (Bottle)

$14.93 $14.93

$5.96 $5.96

$19.91 $19.91

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.7 $1.7

$4.21 $4.21

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.63 $4.63

$1.5 $1.5

$6 $6

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.03 $2.03

$1.27 $1.27

$2.03 $2.03

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.98 $3.98

$2.98 $2.98

$9.94 $9.94

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.78 $2.78

$4.39 $4.39

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$32.2 $32.2

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.28 $1.28

$1.17 $1.17

$1.34 $1.34

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$25.3K $25.3K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$26.9K $26.9K

$27.3K $27.3K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$199 $199

$125 $125

$287 $287

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$45.63 $45.63

$19.62 $19.62

$140 $140

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$59.3 $59.3

$49.09 $49.09

$70.7 $70.7

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$42.85 $42.85

$17.44 $17.44

$49.82 $49.82

Cinema Ticket

$14.15 $14.15

$10.11 $10.11

$18.19 $18.19

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,211 $1,211

$1,173 $1,173

$1,958 $1,958

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.5K $39.5K

$29.5K $29.5K

$42K $42K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$69.3 $69.3

$25.09 $25.09

$75.3 $75.3

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$34.78 $34.78

$15.05 $15.05

$60.2 $60.2

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$84.2 $84.2

$59.3 $59.3

$98.8 $98.8

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$126 $126

$50.6 $50.6

$126 $126

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,599 $1,599

$1,197 $1,197

$1,853 $1,853

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,348 $1,348

$996 $996

$1,494 $1,494

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,803 $2,803

$2,603 $2,603

$3,003 $3,003

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,074 $3,074

$2,529 $2,529

$4,098 $4,098

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,651 $2,651

$1,945 $1,945

$2,651 $2,651

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,428 $2,428

$1,984 $1,984

$2,428 $2,428

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$10K $10K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.58

6.19

7.7

Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: November 30, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Brea, CA - Frequently Asked Questions

Cost of Living in Brea, CA, United States often feels like a balanced mix of comfort and value for travelers, expats, and digital nomads. The city sits in a well‑connected Orange County pocket, with housing options ranging from family homes in quiet neighborhoods to modern apartments near shopping hubs. Food and transit are practical rather than extravagant, and you’ll find both casual dining and fresh markets. Seasonality mainly shifts spending on outdoor activities and events. Overall, value is closely tied to location choice and commute times. Tip: map out three neighborhoods by daily routes to gauge value quickly.

Daily life in Brea centers on a walkable downtown and solid suburban spread. While you search for housing, expect a mix of single‑family homes, townhomes, and convenient apartments near business parks and the 57/91 corridors. Groceries range from neighborhood markets to larger chains, with a reward for planning shopping trips. Transportation favors cars, but you’ll find reliable bus routes and bike lanes around the city core. The Brea, CA, United States living cost tends to reflect neighborhood choices and your commute footprint more than flashy trends. Tip: try a one‑week trial in a couple of districts.

Quality of life in Brea centers on safe, clean streets, good schools nearby, and access to outdoor recreation. Budgeting frameworks work best when you think in flexible blocks: housing plus utilities, grocery days, transport, and occasional entertainment. Seasonal shifts in temperature mean lighter indoor energy use in mild stretches and more outdoor options in dry months. To find a neighborhood that fits you, consider proximity to the downtown core for nightlife and cafés, or hillside areas for quieter mornings and better views. Tip: test your routine by visiting at different times of day to gauge noise, parking, and walkability.