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

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Payson or is it cheaper to live in Big Bear Lake?
- Payson is 22.1% less expensive than Big Bear Lake.

Which city has more affordable housing, Payson or Big Bear Lake?
- Payson housing costs are 25.9% less expensive than Big Bear Lake housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Big Bear Lake or is Health Care more affordable in Payson.
- Health related expenses are 21.3% more in Payson.
 Big Bear Lake, CAPayson, AZUnited States
 Overall  Unlock92.4100
 Food & Groceries99.7  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock106.9100
 Housing152.0  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$400,000$338,100
 Utilities107  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock74.0100
 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 Payson    15 Reviews

We have lived in Payson for over 5 years and love it. It has two large grocery stores, a Walmart, Home Depot, a dozen thrift/ treasure shops, more local shops than we  More

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Over 6 years ago

Payson is a wonderful town especially for retired people and people that want a slower pace... Lots of outdoor activities  More

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Over 6 years ago

I've lived in Payson for 25 years, thank god I worked out of town. There is a saying GO TO PAYSON ON VACATION GO HOME ON PROBATION TURN IN THREE YOU GO  More

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