Brea, CA vs Carlsbad, 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
Carlsbad
62.6
#1838 nationally
Brea leads in walk score (50 vs 31). Brea leads in cost of living index (178 vs 202). Carlsbad leads in median household income ($134,139 vs $120,226).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Brea, CA | Carlsbad, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 64.3 (#1700) | 62.6 (#1838) |
| Population | 48,479 | 113,495 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,134,146 | $1,361,646 |
| Median Household Income | $120,226 | $134,139 |
| Average Commute | 31.1 min | 28.5 min |
| Walk Score | 50 | 31 |
| Crime Level | 5.8 | 5.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 178 | 202 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+2.6 | D+16.8 |
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-
62.6 Score
Carlsbad, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$1,361,646
Population
113,495
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
31
Pacific
View Carlsbad, CA →