2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Brea, CA vs San Mateo, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in San Mateo or is it cheaper to live in Brea?
- San Mateo is 51.6% more expensive than Brea.

Which city has more affordable housing, San Mateo or Brea?
- San Mateo housing costs are 77.1% more expensive than Brea housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Brea or is Health Care more affordable in San Mateo.
- Health related expenses are 25.7% more in San Mateo.
 Brea, CASan Mateo, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock250.0100
 Food & Groceries103.5  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock117.4100
 Housing303.5  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$1,378,900$338,100
 Utilities100  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock143.4100
 Miscellaneous155.8  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Brea    10 Reviews

I have lived in Orange County and Los Angeles County for over 20 years. The cost of living has prompted 3 friends to move to the Central Valley, Oregon and Washington  More

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Over 12 years ago

I loved living here in Brea, CA for over 17 years. It is a great community. For being a small north Orange County city it has a lot to offer. Schools are really  More

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Great city in N. Orange County. Affordable with lots of  More

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Reviews for San Mateo    12 Reviews

I have lived in San Mateo since 2013. It has seen tremendous growth, lots of new restaurants which have become progressively more high-end though there is ample  More

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I'm a native of California. I have lived in the southern part of the state and the northern part of the state for most of my life. I have spent the last 29 years in  More

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Over 15 years ago

San Mateo has a diverse mix of people, a pleasant climate, a very pleasant downtown park with lots going on, and pretty much whatever you need handy. It's not far to  More

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