Brea, CA vs Melrose Park, IL
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
Melrose Park
73.7
#688 nationally
Brea leads in median household income ($120,226 vs $64,400). Melrose Park leads in cost of living index (102 vs 178). Brea leads in crime level (5.8 vs 8.3).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Brea, CA | Melrose Park, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 64.3 (#1700) | 73.7 (#688) |
| Population | 48,479 | 23,666 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,134,146 | $326,590 |
| Median Household Income | $120,226 | $64,400 |
| Average Commute | 31.1 min | 26.8 min |
| Walk Score | 50 | 68 |
| Crime Level | 5.8 | 8.3 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 178 | 102 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+2.6 | D+42.0 |
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 →
C
73.7 Score
Melrose Park, IL
Small Illinois city with local appeal
Median Home
$326,590
Population
23,666
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
68
Midwest
View Melrose Park, IL →