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City Report · CA

Big Bear Lake

Pop. 5,041·333rd most expensive in California·Rental market data updated monthly for Big Bear Lake, CA
Median rent (all units)
$2,055/mo
Year-over-Year
+2.1%
Month-over-Month
-0.1%
vs US Median
+$90
Stable (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Big Bear Lake · $2,055
More expensive than 62% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
32% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $2,055/mo, rent takes about 32% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$82,000/yr
Local median income
$76,250/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Big Bear Lake's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,370
1 BR
$1,450
2 BR
$1,810
3 BR
$2,440
4 BR+
$2,980
Research median
$1,810/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
$24,660/yr
At $2,055/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Balanced Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are roughly steady, with neither renters nor landlords holding a strong edge right now.
Based on rent-price momentum (+2.1% YoY, -0.1% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Big Bear Lake, CA is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, 33.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
5,041
Median income
$76,250
Median age
46.6
Renters
35.1%
Age distribution
18.2%
15%
26.9%
18.5%
21.5%
Under 1818.2%
18–3415%
35–5426.9%
55–6418.5%
65+21.5%
Gender
52.3%
47.7%
Male52.3%
Female47.7%
Race & ethnicity
67%
26.7%
White67%
Black1.1%
Hispanic26.7%
Asian2.6%
Other2.7%
Education (25+)
21.9%
37.2%
33.9%
No HS diploma7%
HS diploma21.9%
Some college37.2%
Bachelor's+33.9%
Housing tenure
64.9%
35.1%
Owner64.9%
Renter35.1%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Big Bear Lake, CA has changed in 5 years

Income
$65,441 → $76,250
up 16.5%
Population
5,068 → 5,041
down 0.5%
Renter share
40.1% → 35.1%
-5.0 pts
Bachelor's+
31.9% → 33.9%
+2.0 pts
Median age
45.3 → 46.6
+1.3 yrs

Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $65,441 in 2021 to $76,250 more recently. About 35.1% of households rent today, against 40.1% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 31.9% to 33.9%.

Community

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

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

At $2,055/mo, how Big Bear Lake rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Big Bear Lake rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Big Bear Lake

About renting in Big Bear Lake, CA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Big Bear Lake is $2,055/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,370/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,810/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,450/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,440/mo.

At 32% of local median household income ($76,250/yr), Big Bear Lake ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 2.1% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Big Bear Lake an affordable city for renters?

Big Bear Lake is considered moderate for renters. At $2,055/mo, rent takes approximately 32% of the local median household income ($76,250/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Big Bear Lake slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

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

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $82,000/year (~$39/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,055/mo in Big Bear Lake. The local median household income is $76,250/yr, meaning the typical Big Bear Lake household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Big Bear Lake?

Rent in Big Bear Lake has increased 2.1% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

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

Big Bear Lake is one of the more affordable cities in California for rent, ranking #333 out of 387 tracked cities at $2,055/mo.

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

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Big Bear Lake ($2,055/mo): Banning ($1,767/mo), Big Bear City ($1,878/mo).

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

According to Census data, approximately 35.1% of Big Bear Lake households are renters, while 64.9% are owner-occupied. Big Bear Lake leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

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

Big Bear Lake's median rent of $2,055/mo is $90 (5%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within California, it ranks #333 out of 387 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
32%
MODERATE

At $2,055/mo, rent takes ~32% of Big Bear Lake's median household income ($76,250/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

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

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Big Bear Lake, CA

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