Everything You Should Know Before Moving to Big Bear Lake, CA
Considering a move to Big Bear Lake, CA? With a friendly small-town feel and a population of just over 5,000, this mountain resort city features median home prices around $464,000 and average rents at $1,375. Residents enjoy crisp alpine weather, 73% sunny days, and easy commutes averaging just 18 minutes. The area offers access to outdoor recreation, local schools, and essential healthcare, while crime rates are moderate for the region. Explore cost of living, housing, and community details below to see if mountain living is right for you!
Demographics - Big Bear Lake, CA
Demographics - Big Bear Lake, CA
Big Bear Lake is a small mountain city with just over 5,000 residents, a median age of 47.6, and a predominantly White population. The community is fairly balanced by gender and has a modest proportion of non-English speakers, giving it a tight-knit and welcoming atmosphere.
Population:
5,046
Density:
1,110 per sq mi
Median Age:
47.6
Gender Ratio:
101 males per 100 females
Non-English Speakers Percentage:
15.7%
Ethnic Composition
White:
83.1%
Black:
1.1%
Asian:
1.3%
Others:
14.5%
Cost Of Living
What is the average cost of living in Big Bear Lake, CA?
Living in Big Bear Lake comes with a cost of living index of 131.8, reflecting higher-than-average expenses, especially for housing, with median home values near $464,000 and average rents at $1,375. Utility costs and everyday expenses are slightly above national averages, making it important for new residents to budget accordingly.
Median House Value:
$464,000
Gross Rent:
$1,375
Monthly Electricity Charges:
$120
Auto Insurance:
$1,650
House Owner Cost With Mortgage:
$2,010
House Owner Cost Without Mortgage:
$650
State Taxes:
Low:
1.0%
|
High:
13.3%
Cost Of Living Index:
131.8
Grocery:
117.5
Housing:
143.0
Utilities:
108.2
Transportation:
123.9
Health Care:
106.5
Miscellaneous:
104.0
Crime
Is Big Bear Lake, CA a safe place to live?
Big Bear Lake experiences moderate crime for the region, with a violent crime rate of 235 per 100,000 people and a property crime rate of 2,302 per 100,000. Residents have a 1 in 425 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime, indicating a generally safe environment but with typical precautions advised.
Violent Crimes Per 100k:
235
Property Crimes Per 100k:
2,302
Crime Index:
2,537
Chance Of Violent Crime:
1 in 425
Chance Of Property Crime:
1 in 43
Weather
What is the weather like in Big Bear Lake, CA year-round?
Residents enjoy a crisp alpine climate with cold, snowy winters and mild summers, where temperatures range from lows in the 20s during winter to highs near 80°F in summer. The area boasts 73% sunny days and receives about 23.6 inches of rainfall annually, making it ideal for outdoor enthusiasts.
Winter
Min:
21°F
Max:
43°F
Spring
Min:
32°F
Max:
61°F
Summer
Min:
45°F
Max:
80°F
Fall
Min:
34°F
Max:
65°F
Average Rainfall Inches:
23.6 inches
Sunny Days Percentage:
73%
Neighbors
The community features a median household income of $59,500 and a poverty rate of 15.2%, with most adults holding at least a high school diploma. Commute times are short at around 18 minutes, and public transportation use is minimal, reflecting the small-town character of the area.
Median Income:
$41,800
Household Income:
$59,500
Family Income:
$70,600
Per Capita Income:
$32,900
Income Male:
$41,200
Income Female:
$32,800
Poverty Rate:
15.2%
Non English Speakers:
15.7%
Rent:
$1,375
Unemployment Rate:
6.9%
Public Transport Usage:
0.8%
Commute Time:
18.2 minutes
Education
High School or Higher:
90.9%
Bachelors or More:
25.4%
Education
How are the schools in Big Bear Lake, CA?
Big Bear Lake is served by a selection of public schools with student-teacher ratios around 17–19, plus a private preschool and nearby Crafton Hills College just 34 miles away. The majority of adults in the area have at least a high school diploma, supporting a well-educated community.
Public Schools
Name:
Big Bear Elementary School
Street:
40940 Pennsylvania Ave
Phone:
909-866-4638
Students:
360
Student Teacher Ratio:
17.1
Name:
Big Bear Middle School
Street:
41275 Big Bear Blvd
Phone:
909-866-4632
Students:
330
Student Teacher Ratio:
18.3
Name:
Big Bear High School
Street:
351 Maple Ln, Sugarloaf
Phone:
909-585-6892
Students:
620
Student Teacher Ratio:
18.8
Private Schools
Name:
North Shore Christian Preschool & Academy
Street:
42852 Lakeview Dr
Phone:
909-866-3421
Students:
60
Colleges
Name:
Crafton Hills College
City:
Yucaipa
State:
CA
Distance:
34 miles
Students:
5,600
Healthcare
Big Bear Lake offers essential healthcare services, including Bear Valley Community Hospital, and has 2.1 physicians per 1,000 residents. With over 86% of residents covered by health insurance, locals can access general and emergency care within the community.
Major Hospitals
Name:
Bear Valley Community Hospital
Address:
41870 Garstin Dr, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315
Phone:
(909) 866-6501
Type:
General & Emergency
Emergency Services:
Yes
Name:
Mountains Community Hospital
Address:
29101 Hospital Rd, Lake Arrowhead, CA 92352
Phone:
(909) 336-3651
Type:
General & Emergency
Emergency Services:
Yes
Physicians Per 1000:
2.1
Health Insurance Coverage:
86.2%
Health Care Index:
78.1
Housing Market
What is the housing market like in Big Bear Lake, CA?
The housing market in Big Bear Lake features median home prices of $464,000 and average two-bedroom rents of $1,375. While owner-occupied housing makes up just over a third of the market, home values have appreciated by 4.7% over the past year, indicating steady demand.
Median Home Price:
$464,000
Average Rent For 2 Bedroom:
$1,375
Owner Occupied Rate:
36.2%
Rental Vacancy Rate:
6.9%
Home Appreciation Rate (1yr):
4.7%
New Construction Rate:
1.0%
Foreclosure Rate:
0.7%
DMV Information
Residents can conveniently access DMV services at the local office on Moonridge Road, managed by the California Department of Motor Vehicles. Standard vehicle registration, licensing, and title services are available both in person and online.
State:
California
Department:
California Department of Motor Vehicles
Address:
42168 Moonridge Rd, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315
Phone:
1-800-777-0133
Website:
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is based on publicly available sources including AccuWeather, U.S. Census Bureau, local government data, and third-party partners such as Neustar. While we strive to ensure accuracy, all data is provided “as is” and should be independently verified before making any decisions. Movers.com makes no guarantees regarding the completeness or reliability of the information.