Cost of Living in Big Bear Lake, CA
Population 5,038 · California · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Big Bear Lake is a smaller California community of around 5000 residents, where median household incomes of $74,728 and housing costs ($518,000 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 — 6.5% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.
Big Bear Lake sits roughly 25 miles east of San Bernardino — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 35% 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 Lake
The median home value in Big Bear Lake is $517,900 — 70% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,278/month, 3% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $74,728/year is equal to than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 6.5%, 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 Lake has a cost of living index of 141 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 41% more expensive.
Big Bear Lake has limited residential data
Detailed housing and income data is limited for this location. Here are the nearest cities with full cost of living data:
🏠 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 Lake, CA?
Big Bear Lake has a cost index of 141 (100 = national average). It is 41% above the national average.
What is average rent in Big Bear Lake, CA?
The median gross rent in Big Bear Lake is $1,278 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Big Bear Lake?
The median home value in Big Bear Lake is $517,900 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Big Bear Lake?
The median household income in Big Bear Lake is $74,728 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Big Bear Lake, CA?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Big Bear Lake is 8.7%. The California state income tax top rate is 13.3%.
Is Big Bear Lake, CA affordable?
Big Bear Lake is above average in cost of living, with an index of 141 — about 41% higher than the national average.
Big Bear Lake at a Glance
- Population
- 5,038
- Median Income
- $74,728
- Home Value
- $517,900
- Median Rent
- $1,278/mo
- Unemployment
- 6.5%
- Sales Tax
- 8.7%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
California Rankings
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