2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Big Bear Lake, CA vs Chicago, IL

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or is it cheaper to live in Big Bear Lake?
- Chicago is 10.9% less expensive than Big Bear Lake.

Which city has more affordable housing, Chicago or Big Bear Lake?
- Chicago housing costs are 34.3% less expensive than Big Bear Lake housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Big Bear Lake or is Health Care more affordable in Chicago.
- Health related expenses are 0.1% less in Chicago.
 Big Bear Lake, CAChicago, ILUnited States
 Overall  Unlock105.7100
 Food & Groceries99.7  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock88.0100
 Housing152.0  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$284,100$338,100
 Utilities107  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock138.5100
 Miscellaneous110.8  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Big Bear Lake    5 Reviews

Over 13 years ago

We moved to Big Bear Lake a couple of years ago from Los Angeles because of my husband's job. It is a somewhat pretty city, the lake is mirky and surrounded by trash,  More

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Over 15 years ago

Big Bear Lake, a beautiful setting in a remote mountain community in Southern California. A draw to tourists from the Los Angeles area for skiing, boating, and mountain  More

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In the San Bernardino mountains of Southern California, this little town has almost everything you would want to see and do. In the spring and summer the lake is filled  More

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Reviews for Chicago    270 Reviews

I've lived in Chicago city and later moved to suburbs when family size increased. Absolutely love this city. This is the cleanest and most beautiful among the major  More

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Chicago is probably the best value in a major city that you can find and my personal favorite city. It will become increasingly important as climate change makes the  More

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I've live on north side and south side, UIC medical center. Don't move here go to the north side. No good amenities, if you get bored with one there is no other choices.  More

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