2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Hilo, HI 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 Hilo?
- Big Bear Lake is 10.1% less expensive than Hilo.

Which city has more affordable housing, Big Bear Lake or Hilo?
- Big Bear Lake housing costs are 12.3% more expensive than Hilo housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Hilo or is Health Care more affordable in Big Bear Lake.
- Health related expenses are 11.6% less in Big Bear Lake.
 Hilo, HIBig Bear Lake, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock118.6100
 Food & Groceries152.2  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock88.1100
 Housing135.3  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$586,600$338,100
 Utilities194  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock114.7100
 Miscellaneous108.3  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Hilo    10 Reviews

If you’re looking at Hilo, then you’re likely being recruited in the medical or education fields. These are where the greatest needs of the community lie, and there are  More

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Over 4 years ago

I enjoyed living in Hawaii County for a number of years, most in Hilo. While Hilo has problems, they are few compared to mainland USA. I never experienced racism by  More

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Over 4 years ago

Too much racism from "native Hawaiians" who aren't actually natives. That keeps me from living in that paradise. I'm this is the "natives" goal.  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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