Brea, CA vs Paterson, NJ
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
Paterson
63.6
#1757 nationally
Brea leads in crime level (5.8 vs 26.8). Brea leads in median household income ($120,226 vs $52,092). Paterson leads in walk score (76 vs 50).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Brea, CA | Paterson, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 64.3 (#1700) | 63.6 (#1757) |
| Population | 48,479 | 156,452 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,134,146 | $542,128 |
| Median Household Income | $120,226 | $52,092 |
| Average Commute | 31.1 min | 23.4 min |
| Walk Score | 50 | 76 |
| Crime Level | 5.8 | 26.8 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 178 | 122 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+2.6 | R+2.9 |
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
63.6 Score
Paterson, NJ
Mid-size New Jersey city with community character
Median Home
$542,128
Population
156,452
Crime
Very High
Walk Score
76
Northeast
View Paterson, NJ →