Big Bear City 52 Poor
Big Bear City Livability #988 ranked city in California#24,706 ranked city in the USARanks better than 15% of areas
Is This the Right Place for You? Local Insights Report
  • Uncover the key details before you move
  • Use local data to guide a smarter investment
  • Compare neighborhoods side by side
Local Insights Report

Pros and Cons of Living in Big Bear City

PROS
  • Ratings Ratings

    Local residents have positive things to say about the proximity of restaurants, grocery stores, parks, public transit, friendliness of neighbors, sense of community and overall safety of the area.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    A majority of amenities are not ideally situated within a reasonable walking distance, which may lead residents to rely on a vehicle or public transportation.

  • Commute Commute

    Public transportation is not readily available in this area and the average commute time to work could also be longer than the national average.

  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    Based on the most recent cost of living data, this area is more expensive to live in. You can expect to pay more for everyday goods and services, housing, groceries and utilities.

  • Crime Crime

    This area is reporting high crime rates per 100,000 people and could signify that it is a dangerous place to live. Crime rates include both violent and property crimes.

  • Employment Employment

    A low score in the employment category could indicate that this area struggles with high unemployment rates and low household income and income per capita levels.

What's it like Living in Big Bear City?

Big Bear City, California is a medium-sized city with a population of 12,934 inhabitants. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (92% White). Given that fact, Big Bear City could be considered less diverse than other cities. Long travel times to work can be one of the most frustrating things in the world - right behind housework! If you decide that living in Big Bear City is the right fit for you, your one way commute time will average 26 minutes, which is about average when compared to the national commute time of 26 minutes.

Are you trying to ascertain if living in Big Bear City is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a fulfilling experience before relocating to any new city in California, you will probably want to make sure that you check all of the most important boxes. Several key factors deserve attention. For one, safety is paramount, ensuring that your new area is low in crime is key. Proximity to workplaces or schools minimizes commute times and fosters convenience. Access to essential amenities like parks, grocery stores, food, fitness, shops and healthcare facilities enhances daily life. Efficient public transportation options provide mobility and connectivity. The sense of community creates a welcoming and supportive environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere, encompassing the vibe, aesthetics, and lifestyle offerings, contributes to a fulfilling living experience. Considering these elements helps identify the ideal neighborhood for your needs and preferences. To help you find the best places to live in and around Big Bear City, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like cost of living, commute, education and more.

Big Bear City, CA receives 52/100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #1,025 in California and #24,769 in the USA. This is not a favorable rating; as this score ranks among some of the lowest in America. Living in Big Bear City may not be a pleasant experience. Based on the grades for each individual category, Big Bear City has received high marks for housing (B). Big Bear City does not rank well for the following: amenities (F), crime (F), cost of living (F) and employment (D). It might be a smart idea to take a closer look at each category to find out why.

For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their Big Bear City apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.

Big Bear City real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in Big Bear City. The median home price for Big Bear City homes is $520,550, which is 28.9% lower than the California average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Big Bear City, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 7, which is 9.1% lower than the California average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Big Bear City

See all the best places to live around Big Bear City

How Do You Rate The Livability In Big Bear City?

1. Select a livability score between 1-100
0
Awful
25
Poor
50
Average
75
Good
100
Great
2. Select any tags that apply to this area
View results

Compare Big Bear City, CA Livability

City Image
    City Default Image
      vs

      Big Bear City transportation information

      Statistic Big Bear City California National
      Average one way commute26min28min26min
      Workers who drive to work81.0%73.5%76.4%
      Workers who carpool7.2%10.6%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.0%5.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%1.1%0.6%
      Workers who walk3.3%2.7%2.8%
      Working from home7.6%5.4%4.6%
      Source: The Big Bear City, CA data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.