At $1,864/mo, rent takes about 31% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,864 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.
Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
Rent in Big Bear City changed +1.7% over the year to September 2026. Across the 336 California cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +3.4%.
Rent rose in 7 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($71,511) is $1,788 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 1-bedroom ($1,510); a 2-bedroom is $1,880.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Big Bear City. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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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.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Big Bear City, CA has changed in 5 years
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%.
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Can you afford rent in Big Bear City on your salary?
At $1,864/mo, how Big Bear City rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Big Bear City rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Big Bear City. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Big Bear City
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Big Bear City is $1,864/mo as of October 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 31% of local median household income ($71,511/yr), Big Bear City ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 1.7% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
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Is rent going up or down in Big Bear City?
How does Big Bear City rent compare to other cities in California?
At $1,864/mo, rent takes ~31% of Big Bear City's median household income ($71,511/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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