Big Bear Lake 64 Average
Big Bear Lake Livability #420 ranked city in California#14,284 ranked city in the USARanks better than 51% of areas
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Local Insights Report

Pros and Cons of Living in Big Bear Lake

PROS
  • Commute Commute

    High commute scores indicates that public transit should be easily accessible in this area and the average commute time to work is less than average.

  • 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.

  • 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.

What's it like Living in Big Bear Lake?

Big Bear Lake, California is a small-sized city with a population of 5,513 residents. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (87% White). Given that fact, Big Bear Lake could be considered less diverse than other cities. Additionally, more than a quarter of the population of Big Bear Lake are of Hispanic or Latino origin, and 17% of the population also speak Spanish.

Are you trying to ascertain if living in Big Bear Lake is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a great experience before moving 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. Finding the best places to live in Big Bear Lake and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes crime, health & safety, housing and other important metrics.

The livability score in Big Bear Lake is 63 out of 100 and the city is ranked in the 49th percentile of all cities across America. There is at least one category that does not have great scores in Big Bear Lake. The following was graded with a less than perfect score: amenities (D-), cost of living (F) and education (D).

There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Big Bear Lake is actually affordable. The median home price for Big Bear Lake homes is $729,537, which is 0.3% lower than the California average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Big Bear Lake, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 8.9, which is 15.6% higher than the California average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Big Bear Lake

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Compare Big Bear Lake, CA Livability

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      Big Bear Lake transportation information

      Statistic Big Bear Lake California National
      Average one way commute22min28min26min
      Workers who drive to work69.0%73.5%76.4%
      Workers who carpool6.1%10.6%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.0%5.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%1.1%0.6%
      Workers who walk5.2%2.7%2.8%
      Working from home18.6%5.4%4.6%
      Source: The Big Bear Lake, 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.