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City Report · CA

Big Bear City

Pop. 11,431·360th most expensive in California·Big Bear City rents have dropped 11.5%, currently a renter's market
Median rent (all units)
$1,878/mo
Year-over-Year
-11.5%
Month-over-Month
-2.6%
vs US Median
-$87
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Big Bear City · $1,878
More expensive than 51% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
32% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,878/mo, rent takes about 32% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$75,000/yr
Local median income
$71,511/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Big Bear City's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,450
1 BR
$1,510
2 BR
$1,880
3 BR
$2,510
4 BR+
$3,050
Research median
$1,880/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$22,536/yr
At $1,878/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 11.5% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (-11.5% YoY, -2.6% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Big Bear City, CA is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, 30.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
11,431
Median income
$71,511
Median age
47.2
Renters
29.2%
Age distribution
18.7%
16.2%
24.6%
16.6%
23.8%
Under 1818.7%
18–3416.2%
35–5424.6%
55–6416.6%
65+23.8%
Gender
51.9%
48.1%
Male51.9%
Female48.1%
Race & ethnicity
75.7%
17.8%
White75.7%
Hispanic17.8%
Asian2.4%
Other3.7%
Education (25+)
28.6%
33.8%
30.7%
No HS diploma6.9%
HS diploma28.6%
Some college33.8%
Bachelor's+30.7%
Housing tenure
70.8%
29.2%
Owner70.8%
Renter29.2%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Big Bear City, CA has changed in 5 years

Income
$57,147 → $71,511
up 25.1%
Population
12,913 → 11,431
down 11.5%
Renter share
33.4% → 29.2%
-4.2 pts
Bachelor's+
24.7% → 30.7%
+6.0 pts
Median age
43.2 → 47.2
+4.0 yrs

On the earnings side, the typical household in Big Bear City, CA now reports about $71,511, up from $57,147 in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 12,913 to 11,431 between 2021 and 2024, a 11.5% change. About 29.2% of households rent today, against 33.4% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 24.7% to 30.7%.

Community

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View Big Bear City rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Big Bear City on your salary?

At $1,878/mo, how Big Bear City rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Big Bear City rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Big Bear City. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Big Bear City

About renting in Big Bear City, CA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Big Bear City is $1,878/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,450/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,880/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,510/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,510/mo.

At 32% of local median household income ($71,511/yr), Big Bear City ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 11.5% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Big Bear City an affordable city for renters?

Big Bear City is considered moderate for renters. At $1,878/mo, rent takes approximately 32% of the local median household income ($71,511/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Big Bear City slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Big Bear City?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $75,000/year (~$36/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,878/mo in Big Bear City. The local median household income is $71,511/yr, meaning the typical Big Bear City household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Big Bear City?

Rent in Big Bear City has decreased 11.5% over the past year as of July 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

How does Big Bear City rent compare to other cities in California?

Big Bear City is one of the more affordable cities in California for rent, ranking #360 out of 387 tracked cities at $1,878/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Big Bear City?

Banning is nearby and more affordable at $1,767/mo, which is $111 less than Big Bear City.

What percentage of Big Bear City residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 29.2% of Big Bear City households are renters, while 70.8% are owner-occupied. Big Bear City leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Big Bear City rent compare to the national average?

Big Bear City's median rent of $1,878/mo is $87 (4%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within California, it ranks #360 out of 387 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
32%
MODERATE

At $1,878/mo, rent takes ~32% of Big Bear City's median household income ($71,511/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Big Bear City 32%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
Run the Big Bear City affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Big Bear City, CA

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