2026 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Big Bear Lake, CA vs Winter Haven, FL

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Winter Haven or is it cheaper to live in Big Bear Lake?
- Winter Haven is 22.8% less expensive than Big Bear Lake.

Which city has more affordable housing, Winter Haven or Big Bear Lake?
- Winter Haven housing costs are 52.6% less expensive than Big Bear Lake housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Big Bear Lake or is Health Care more affordable in Winter Haven.
- Health related expenses are 14.5% more in Winter Haven.
 Big Bear Lake, CAWinter Haven, FLUnited States
 Overall  Unlock91.6100
 Food & Groceries99.7  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock100.9100
 Housing152.0  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$281,200$338,100
 Utilities107  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock91.0100
 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 14 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 16 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 Winter Haven    9 Reviews

Over 3 years ago

I moved here 4 years ago from Sarasota FL., because it seemed quiet, calmer, less expensive, and a reasonable distance back to SRQ, Tampa, and Orlando. What a mistake!  More

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Definitely NOT a fan. My son moved me here without checking the rental home or neighborhood. WOW, we're we in for a surprise. It's total ghetto. I would NEVER  More

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Over 9 years ago

I lived in Bartow, right down the road from WH for many years. This is not a metropolitan area. It is middle class, bedroom community. It will take you less than an hour  More

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