Living in Big Bear Lake, California
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Big Bear Lake · Census data 2020–2024
Big Bear Lake has 5,041 residents with a median age of 46.6. The median household income is $76,250 (23% lower than the California median), the median home value is $576,700, the median rent is $1,454/month.
Big Bear Lake at a glance
- Population
- 5,041
- Median age
- 46.6State: 37.9
- Median household income
- $76,250State: $99,122
- Median home value
- $576,700State: $734,700
- Median rent
- $1,454/moState: $2,036
- Homeowners
- 64.9%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 33.9%
- Average commute
- 25 min
Is Big Bear Lake a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 22% lower than the state median; an average commute of 25 minutes; unemployment of 5.3%; a poverty rate of 6.2%.
Cons: Median household income 23% lower than the California median.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Big Bear Lake
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Big Bear Lake the median home value is $576,700, 73% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,454 per month, which is 36.7% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $2,148 a month in housing costs.
Big Bear Lake median household income
The median household income in Big Bear Lake is $76,250 and the income per person is $52,141. 6.2% of residents live below the poverty line (California: 12%).
Housing in Big Bear Lake: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 9,722
- Owner-occupied
- 64.9%
- Renter-occupied
- 35.1%
- Vacant
- 76.3%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1976
- Average household size
- 2.17
76.3% of homes are vacant most of the year, a sign that Big Bear Lake has many vacation and second homes.
Big Bear Lake demographics
- Population
- 5,041
- Median age
- 46.6
- Under 18
- 18.2%
- 65 and older
- 21.5%
- Households
- 2,308
- Foreign-born
- 16.3%
- Veterans
- 9.9%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Big Bear Lake ›
Education in Big Bear Lake
33.9% of adults 25 and older in Big Bear Lake have a bachelor's degree or higher (California: 37.1%), and 13.4% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Big Bear Lake
- Unemployment rate
- 5.3%State: 6.6%
- Average commute
- 25 minState: 29 min
- Work from home
- 20.8%
- Drive alone
- 59.8%
- Public transit
- 2.4%
- Walk to work
- 2.7%
- Homes with broadband
- 96.3%
Big Bear Lake vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Bear Lake | 5,041 | $76,250 | $576,700 | $1,454 |
| Big Bear City | 11,431 | $71,511 | $463,500 | $1,854 |
| Running Springs | 4,917 | $81,516 | $385,000 | $1,804 |
| Lucerne Valley | 5,957 | $54,788 | $269,100 | $1,181 |
| Oak Glen | 510 | $85,682 | $880,100 | — |
| Lake Arrowhead | 10,639 | $95,236 | $596,500 | $1,875 |
| Yucaipa | 54,421 | $90,794 | $502,100 | $1,711 |
| Mentone | 9,514 | $74,708 | $436,700 | $1,472 |
| Highland | 56,675 | $77,120 | $485,600 | $1,629 |
More for people moving to Big Bear Lake
Big Bear Lake ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Big Bear Lake: FAQ
What is the median household income in Big Bear Lake, CA?
The median household income in Big Bear Lake is $76,250, 23% lower than the California median of $99,122 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Big Bear Lake?
The median home value in Big Bear Lake is $576,700, compared with $734,700 in California.
How much is rent in Big Bear Lake?
The median gross rent in Big Bear Lake is $1,454 per month, about 36.7% of household income.
Is Big Bear Lake, CA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 22% lower than the state median; an average commute of 25 minutes; unemployment of 5.3%; a poverty rate of 6.2%. Minuses: median household income 23% lower than the California median.
What is the median age in Big Bear Lake?
The median age in Big Bear Lake is 46.6 years (California: 37.9).
How long is the commute in Big Bear Lake?
The average commute to work in Big Bear Lake is 25 minutes; 20.8% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Big Bear Lake?
The unemployment rate in Big Bear Lake is 5.3% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Big Bear Lake?
33.9% of adults in Big Bear Lake have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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