1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Brea, CA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Brea, California as of July 2026. That's +14% lower than the citywide median of $2,960 and +82% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Brea
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Brea
Compare Brea's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in California
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taft | $880 |
| 2 | Ridgecrest | $887 |
| 3 | Lakeport | $900 |
| 4 | California City | $950 |
| 5 | Clearlake | $950 |
| 6 | Barstow | $974 |
| 7 | Oroville | $1,005 |
| 8 | El Centro | $1,020 |
| 9 | Paradise | $1,020 |
| 10 | Red Bluff | $1,030 |
| 11 | Eureka | $1,040 |
| 12 | Porterville | $1,060 |
| 13 | Shafter | $1,060 |
| 14 | Tehachapi | $1,110 |
| 15 | Hanford | $1,120 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in California
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cupertino | $3,880 |
| 2 | Foster City | $3,820 |
| 3 | Santa Cruz | $3,710 |
| 4 | Scotts Valley | $3,600 |
| 5 | Aptos | $3,600 |
| 6 | Tiburon | $3,530 |
| 7 | Los Altos | $3,530 |
| 8 | Coronado | $3,460 |
| 9 | Sunnyvale | $3,438 |
| 10 | Millbrae | $3,410 |
| 11 | Corte Madera | $3,390 |
| 12 | Santa Barbara | $3,382 |
| 13 | Palo Alto | $3,305 |
| 14 | Mountain View | $3,303 |
| 15 | Ladera Ranch | $3,280 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Brea.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Brea |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rowland Heights, CA | 3.4 mi | $2,120 | $-420 (-17%) |
| Placentia, CA | 3.9 mi | $2,220 | $-320 (-13%) |
| Fullerton, CA | 4.1 mi | $2,228 | $-312 (-12%) |
| La Habra, CA | 4.6 mi | $2,110 | $-430 (-17%) |
| Diamond Bar, CA | 6.1 mi | $2,660 | +$120 (+5%) |
| Anaheim, CA | 6.4 mi | $2,377 | $-163 (-6%) |
| Hacienda Heights, CA | 7.7 mi | $2,060 | $-480 (-19%) |
| La Puente, CA | 7.9 mi | $1,850 | $-690 (-27%) |
| West Covina, CA | 8.6 mi | $2,260 | $-280 (-11%) |
| La Mirada, CA | 8.6 mi | $2,350 | $-190 (-7%) |
| Yorba Linda, CA | 8.9 mi | $2,905 | +$365 (+14%) |
| Orange, CA | 9.2 mi | $2,332 | $-208 (-8%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Brea — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Brea?
As of July 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Brea, California is $2,540 per month. This is +14% below the citywide median of $2,960.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Brea?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $101,600 ($8,467/month gross), which works out to roughly $48.85/hour at a full-time job.
Is Brea expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Brea's 1-bedroom median of $2,540 is +82% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 95th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Brea rank for 1-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 385 cities in California with 1-bedroom data, Brea ranks #278 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Brea?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Rowland Heights ($2,120), Placentia ($2,220), Fullerton ($2,228).