At $1,959/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 $1,959 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 Lake changed +3.7% 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 ($76,250) is $1,906 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($1,810); a 3-bedroom is $2,440.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Big Bear Lake. 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 Lake, CA is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, 33.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Big Bear Lake, CA has changed in 5 years
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%.
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At $1,959/mo, how Big Bear Lake rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Big Bear Lake rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Big Bear Lake. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Big Bear Lake
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Big Bear Lake is $1,959/mo as of October 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 31% of local median household income ($76,250/yr), Big Bear Lake ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 3.7% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Big Bear Lake?
Is rent going up or down in Big Bear Lake?
How does Big Bear Lake rent compare to other cities in California?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Big Bear Lake?
At $1,959/mo, rent takes ~31% of Big Bear Lake's median household income ($76,250/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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