salaryRent is higher than in 88% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 7.0 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $103,920 a year. That is $50 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other California cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of California. It is number 412 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Big Bear Lake?
Share of households by yearly income. 26.4% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Big Bear Lake
| Size | Big Bear Lake | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $1,090 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,524 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,893 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,165 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Big Bear Lake overall?
Everyday prices in California overall are 11% above the U.S. average (index 110.7, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Big Bear Lake, so the California figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Big Bear Lake
Life in Big Bear Lake
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Big Bear Lake?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,403 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $576,700 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $57,670 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Big Bear Lake, CA?
Renting in Big Bear Lake costs a median of about $2,598 a month in 2026, including utilities. The California median is $2,357.
How much do I need to make to live in Big Bear Lake?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $103,920 a year, or $50 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Big Bear Lake cheap or expensive?
Big Bear Lake is rated Expensive: rent takes 37.9% of the typical household income of $82,236. It ranks 412th cheapest of 653 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Big Bear Lake?
The median homeowner in Big Bear Lake pays $4,239 a year in property taxes, about 0.74% of the median home value.
Is Big Bear Lake more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in California are 11% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Big Bear Lake?
The median home value in Big Bear Lake is $576,700, about 7.0 times the typical yearly household income.
5,041 people live in Big Bear Lake. Numbers are typical (middle) values.