At $1,954/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 $1,954 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: August 17, 2026
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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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Can you afford rent in Big Bear Lake on your salary?
At $1,954/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: August 17, 2026
The median rent in Big Bear Lake is $1,954/mo as of August 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 decreased 2.5% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
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How does Big Bear Lake rent compare to the national average?
At $1,954/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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