Studio Apartment Rent in Brea, CA
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Brea, California as of July 2026. That's +18% lower than the citywide median of $2,960 and +89% above the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio 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 studio at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Brea
Compare Brea's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a studio in California
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florin | $738 |
| 2 | Ridgecrest | $838 |
| 3 | Taft | $870 |
| 4 | Lakeport | $890 |
| 5 | El Centro | $910 |
| 6 | Barstow | $920 |
| 7 | Red Bluff | $930 |
| 8 | California City | $940 |
| 9 | Clearlake | $950 |
| 10 | Paradise | $970 |
| 11 | Eureka | $980 |
| 12 | Oroville | $985 |
| 13 | Florence-Graham | $1,029 |
| 14 | Porterville | $1,050 |
| 15 | Anderson | $1,060 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in California
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Cruz | $3,520 |
| 2 | Scotts Valley | $3,420 |
| 3 | Aptos | $3,420 |
| 4 | Cupertino | $3,410 |
| 5 | Coronado | $3,190 |
| 6 | Ladera Ranch | $3,140 |
| 7 | Los Altos | $3,130 |
| 8 | Foster City | $3,130 |
| 9 | Newport Beach | $3,102 |
| 10 | Capitola | $3,100 |
| 11 | Coto de Caza | $3,070 |
| 12 | Sunnyvale | $3,010 |
| 13 | Santa Barbara | $3,000 |
| 14 | Irvine | $3,000 |
| 15 | Solana Beach | $2,970 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Brea.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Brea |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rowland Heights, CA | 3.4 mi | $1,890 | $-550 (-23%) |
| Placentia, CA | 3.9 mi | $2,120 | $-320 (-13%) |
| Fullerton, CA | 4.1 mi | $2,125 | $-315 (-13%) |
| La Habra, CA | 4.6 mi | $1,980 | $-460 (-19%) |
| Diamond Bar, CA | 6.1 mi | $2,380 | $-60 (-2%) |
| Anaheim, CA | 6.4 mi | $2,280 | $-160 (-7%) |
| Hacienda Heights, CA | 7.7 mi | $1,840 | $-600 (-25%) |
| La Puente, CA | 7.9 mi | $1,650 | $-790 (-32%) |
| West Covina, CA | 8.6 mi | $2,013 | $-427 (-17%) |
| La Mirada, CA | 8.6 mi | $2,100 | $-340 (-14%) |
| Yorba Linda, CA | 8.9 mi | $2,780 | +$340 (+14%) |
| Orange, CA | 9.2 mi | $2,228 | $-212 (-9%) |
Studio rent in Brea — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Brea?
As of July 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Brea, California is $2,440 per month. This is +18% below the citywide median of $2,960.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Brea?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $97,600 ($8,133/month gross), which works out to roughly $46.92/hour at a full-time job.
Is Brea expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Brea's studio median of $2,440 is +89% above the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 96th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Brea rank for studio rent in California?
Among the 383 cities in California with studio data, Brea ranks #304 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Brea?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Rowland Heights ($1,890), Placentia ($2,120), Fullerton ($2,125).