2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Big Bear Lake, CA vs Cottonwood, AZ

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Cottonwood or is it cheaper to live in Big Bear Lake?
- Cottonwood is 3.8% less expensive than Big Bear Lake.

Which city has more affordable housing, Cottonwood or Big Bear Lake?
- Cottonwood housing costs are 29.3% less expensive than Big Bear Lake housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Big Bear Lake or is Health Care more affordable in Cottonwood.
- Health related expenses are 47.0% more in Cottonwood.
 Big Bear Lake, CACottonwood, AZUnited States
 Overall  Unlock114.1100
 Food & Groceries99.7  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock129.5100
 Housing152.0  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$368,400$338,100
 Utilities107  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock91.2100
 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 Cottonwood    10 Reviews

As a 6th generation AZ Native, someone who had the misfortune of growing up in Phoenix, and who has lived all over the VV and Flagstaff, I think Cottonwood is great  More

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Over 4 years ago

I have lived in Cottonwood since 2002. When I first moved here, this place was wonderful. Quiet, friendly and affordable. The weather was good with plenty of sunshine  More

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Actually Cottonwood is a great place because of the great LGBTQ community. Without this aspect Cottonwood wouldn't be anything really, except a Wal-mart. The LGBTQ  More

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