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

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Lake Elsinore or is it cheaper to live in Big Bear Lake?
- Lake Elsinore is 10.6% more expensive than Big Bear Lake.

Which city has more affordable housing, Lake Elsinore or Big Bear Lake?
- Lake Elsinore housing costs are 8.6% more expensive than Big Bear Lake housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Big Bear Lake or is Health Care more affordable in Lake Elsinore.
- Health related expenses are 0.9% less in Lake Elsinore.
 Big Bear Lake, CALake Elsinore, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock131.2100
 Food & Groceries99.7  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock87.3100
 Housing152.0  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$527,600$338,100
 Utilities107  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock167.7100
 Miscellaneous110.8  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
DID YOU KNOW?

In order to keep your same standard of living your salary can vary greatly - whether you buy or rent, require child care, or want to include taxes. This is why we are now offering a Premium Salary & Cost of Living Calculator.

Our Premium Calculator Includes:
- Compare Cities cost of living across 9 different categories
- Personal salary calculations can optionally include Home ownership or rental, Child care, and Taxes (with details on state and local sales, income, property and automobile taxes)
- Includes the cost of Child Care for toddlers or infants, at a day care center or home care
- Grocery prices, detailed for 29 staple items in six categories
- Difference in cost of Utilities, including electric, gas and fuel oil
- Health Care Premiums and hospital expenses for major surgeries
- Taxes, Fees and Expenses you should know about, such as local car insurance rates, automobile taxes and registration, commuting costs.
- and 100s of other items you should consider before you relocate

Upgrade to Premium | See Example

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

   |    Reply

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

   |    Reply

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

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Big Bear Lake

Reviews for Lake Elsinore    10 Reviews

The new comfort index for Lake Elsinore is 78. I lived in Lake Elsinore for 10 years, and there are usually 100+ days that the temperature is over 90, and several weeks  More

   |    Reply

8/23/2013 To someone thinking of moving to Lake Elsinore I really want to write this to you because I was in you position a year and a half ago. I was living in Delmar  More

   |    Reply

Over 15 years ago

How is the area near the Ortegas? I see a lot of families. Is this a good place for kids and  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Lake Elsinore


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.