Brea in short: The typical home is worth about $1,118,000 as of August 2026, up 1.7% in a year, against about $1,179,000 across Orange County. About 79 homes are for sale. Homes that sell go under contract in about 13 days. Typical rent is about $2,870 a month. First-time buyers can combine county and state down payment programs.
Brea sits on the northern edge of Orange County along the 57 freeway, bordering Los Angeles County. It is a compact city with a lively downtown along Birch Street, the Brea Mall, and neighborhoods that climb into the hills toward Carbon Canyon. Its long-running Art in Public Places program puts sculpture on streets and in developments across town.
Housing ranges from mid-century single-family homes near downtown to newer planned communities such as Olinda Ranch in the north, plus townhomes and condos close to the shopping districts. Older tracts tend to offer bigger yards for the money, while newer communities add HOA dues and sometimes Mello-Roos taxes.
For most buyers the decision comes down to lot size and age against price and monthly cost. I pull the HOA, any special taxes and recent sales on every home so you can compare Brea's neighborhoods on the full cost of owning, not only the asking price.
Brea housing market, August 2026
Home values in Brea are up 1.7% from a year ago and up 9.9% over three years. Homes that sell are going under contract in about 13 days. About 18.6% of listings have had a price cut, which tells you how much room there is to negotiate. For comparison, the typical home value across Orange County is $1,179,000. At the typical rent and value, the gross rental yield is about 3.1% a year before expenses.
Sources: Zillow Research (home value and rent indexes, inventory, days to pending, price cuts) and Realtor.com Research, data through August 2026. These are market-wide figures, not an appraisal of any one home. See the Orange County market report for the county trend.
What a typical Brea home costs to own
20% down
$7,362/month
- Down payment$223,525
- Principal and interest$5,918
- Property tax$1,024
- Insurance$419
Income to qualify: about $316,000 a year
10% down
$8,563/month
- Down payment$111,763
- Principal and interest$6,658
- Property tax$1,024
- Insurance$419
- Mortgage insurance$461
Income to qualify: about $367,000 a year
Estimates on the typical home value of $1,118,000 at the 6.95% 30-year fixed average (2026-09-17), with property tax at 1.1% and insurance at 0.45% of value a year, and income at 28% of gross for housing. HOA dues and Mello-Roos are extra where they apply. Not a loan quote. Down payment programs below can cover part of the down payment. See 20 years of mortgage rates.
Neighborhoods in Brea
- Downtown BreaTownhomes and condos within walking distance of Birch Street restaurants, shops and the cinema.
- Olinda RanchA newer planned community in north Brea with parks and trail access, built mostly in the 2000s.
- Central BreaMid-century single-family streets close to schools, parks and the 57.
- Brea hillsidesHomes on the northern slopes toward Carbon Canyon, some with views and larger lots.
Schools
Brea Olinda Unified School District serves the city. Always confirm the assigned school for a specific address with the district.
Getting around
The 57 runs along the east side of the city, with the 91 a short drive south. Imperial Highway and Brea Boulevard are the main surface routes.
Down payment help for Brea buyers
Orange County Mortgage Assistance Program (MAP) Open
OC Housing and Community Development
A deferred second loan at 3% simple interest of up to $120,000 for low-income and $80,000 for moderate-income first-time buyers. The price must be at or below 85% of the county median sales price.
Orange County Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) Open
County of Orange, administered by National Homebuyers Fund
A federal income tax credit on part of the mortgage interest you pay, every year for the life of the loan. Income up to 115% of area median income, and it stacks with MAP and other programs.
CalHFA MyHome Assistance Program Open
California Housing Finance Agency
A deferred junior loan of up to 3% of the price toward the down payment or closing costs, paired with a CalHFA first mortgage. No monthly payment until you sell, refinance or pay off the loan.
See every program you may qualify for
Program terms from the official program pages, last checked September 2026. Income and price limits apply and funds can close without notice, so confirm current terms before you rely on them.
Brea ZIP codes at a glance
| ZIP | Median asking price | Per sq ft | Homes for sale | Median days on market |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 92821 | $1,140,000 | $598 | 43 | 39 |
| 92823 | $1,260,000 | $582 | 4 | 50 |
Realtor.com Research listing data by ZIP code, August 2026. A ZIP code can cross city lines.
Brea real estate questions
How much does a home cost in Brea?
As of August 2026, the typical home value in Brea is about $1,118,000, up 1.7% from a year earlier, according to the Zillow Home Value Index. The median asking price for homes listed that month was about $1,139,000. Condos and townhomes usually sit below the typical value and larger detached homes above it.
What is the monthly payment on a typical home in Brea?
At the typical value of $1,118,000, with 10% down and a 6.95% 30-year fixed rate, the full monthly cost including property tax, insurance and mortgage insurance is about $8,563. Lenders would usually look for household income around $366,986. HOA dues and Mello-Roos are extra where they apply. This is an estimate, not a loan quote.
Is there down payment help for Brea buyers?
Yes. Countywide, first-time buyers in Brea can look at the Orange County Mortgage Assistance Program and the Orange County Mortgage Credit Certificate, and statewide at CalHFA's MyHome Assistance Program. Income and price limits apply, and the right combination depends on your situation. The finder on this site lists more than 40 programs across Southern California.
What are the main choices for buyers in Brea?
Most buyers compare three options: older single-family homes near downtown with bigger yards, newer planned homes in Olinda Ranch with HOA dues, and condos or townhomes near the Brea Mall and Birch Street. The right fit usually depends on budget, commute and how much upkeep you want.
Official resources
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