Cost of Living in Big Bear City, CA
Population 12,493 · California · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Big Bear City is a smaller California community of around 12000 residents, where median household incomes of $72,457 and housing costs ($428,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. Unemployment has stayed elevated relative to the national figure — 8.0% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.
Big Bear City is about 30 miles east of San Bernardino, the nearest large metro — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 11% higher than San Bernardino's $385,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Big Bear City
The median home value in Big Bear City is $427,700 — 40% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,454/month, 11% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $72,457/year is 3% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 8.0%, above the national average of 4.8%. California's top state income tax rate is 13.3% and the combined sales tax is 8.7%. Overall, Big Bear City has a cost of living index of 128 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 28% more expensive.
🏠 Housing
HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom
💰 Estimated Monthly Budget
Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.
🛒 Food & Groceries
National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.
🚗 Transportation
Commute Mode
⚡ Utilities
📋 Taxes
💼 Income & Employment
🎓 Education
👥 Demographics
💨 Air Quality
EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Big Bear City, CA?
Big Bear City has a cost index of 128 (100 = national average). It is 28% above the national average.
What is average rent in Big Bear City, CA?
The median gross rent in Big Bear City is $1,454 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Big Bear City?
The median home value in Big Bear City is $427,700 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Big Bear City?
The median household income in Big Bear City is $72,457 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Big Bear City, CA?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Big Bear City is 8.7%. The California state income tax top rate is 13.3%.
Is Big Bear City, CA affordable?
Big Bear City is above average in cost of living, with an index of 128 — about 28% higher than the national average.
Big Bear City at a Glance
- Population
- 12,493
- Median Income
- $72,457
- Home Value
- $427,700
- Median Rent
- $1,454/mo
- Unemployment
- 8.0%
- Sales Tax
- 8.7%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
California Rankings
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