2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
San Diego, 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 San Diego?
- Big Bear Lake is 23.4% less expensive than San Diego.

Which city has more affordable housing, Big Bear Lake or San Diego?
- Big Bear Lake housing costs are 45.4% less expensive than San Diego housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in San Diego or is Health Care more affordable in Big Bear Lake.
- Health related expenses are 1.0% less in Big Bear Lake.
 San Diego, CABig Bear Lake, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock118.6100
 Food & Groceries109.7  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock88.1100
 Housing278.4  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$586,600$338,100
 Utilities103  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock114.7100
 Miscellaneous153.9  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for San Diego    319 Reviews

I have lived in San Diego for more than half my life (I am 30) and love it. It has something for everyone and more from arts, to sporting events, and all cuisine is  More

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The only real knock again San Diego is the cost of living, but it is paradise compared to most cities of similar size. Those who complain about the traffic here or say  More

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I have lived in San Diego since 1968 and I am now almost 62 years old. I love San Diego, I really do. But it has become so crowded and so expensive over the years. It  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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