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

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Big Bear Lake or is it cheaper to live in Carlsbad?
- Big Bear Lake is 23.4% less expensive than Carlsbad.

Which city has more affordable housing, Big Bear Lake or Carlsbad?
- Big Bear Lake housing costs are 61.2% less expensive than Carlsbad housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Carlsbad or is Health Care more affordable in Big Bear Lake.
- Health related expenses are 1.0% less in Big Bear Lake.
 Carlsbad, CABig Bear Lake, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock118.6100
 Food & Groceries113.5  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock88.1100
 Housing391.6  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$586,600$338,100
 Utilities97  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock114.7100
 Miscellaneous154.1  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Carlsbad    38 Reviews

I've lived in Carlsbad (92008) for 8 years now and really appreciate all that it has to offer. Yes, ALL of San Diego County is expensive, but Carlsbad has [possibly]  More

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Over 4 years ago

Carlson has the worst winters. It averages about 10 meters of snow per week. Every shop is  More

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Ok, I get it, the climate is mild and tolerable but even that is over-rated when you consider how many cloudy days there are in this town. The sun coming out at 3 and  More

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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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