2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Paonia, CO 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 Paonia?
- Big Bear Lake is 27.3% more expensive than Paonia.

Which city has more affordable housing, Big Bear Lake or Paonia?
- Big Bear Lake housing costs are 44.6% more expensive than Paonia housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Paonia or is Health Care more affordable in Big Bear Lake.
- Health related expenses are 11.2% more in Big Bear Lake.
 Paonia, COBig Bear Lake, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock118.6100
 Food & Groceries100.1  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock88.1100
 Housing105.1  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$586,600$338,100
 Utilities101  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock114.7100
 Miscellaneous99.4  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Paonia    3 Reviews

Paonia is Colorado’s best kept secret... amazing food, climate and scenery. Close to ski resorts and big city amenities, but isolated and charming. The town is safe and  More

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I have lived just outside of Paonia for 35 years. The area is pretty, but jobs are scarce. Used to be mostly 'down to earth' farmers and ranchers and coal miners  More

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Over 16 years ago

"Mayberry in the Mountains" (Paonia and surrounding 8 mesas) population 6,600; median housing pricing is $164,207 (2007); average commute is less than 10 minutes;  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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