2026 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Santee, CA vs Big Bear City, CA

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

Which city has more affordable housing, Big Bear City or Santee?
- Big Bear City housing costs are 53.8% less expensive than Santee housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Santee or is Health Care more affordable in Big Bear City.
- Health related expenses are 1.0% less in Big Bear City.
 Santee, CABig Bear City, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock118.6100
 Food & Groceries107.8  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock88.1100
 Housing234.0  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$404,600$338,100
 Utilities111  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock107.9100
 Miscellaneous153.5  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Santee    10 Reviews

Over 14 years ago

I have lived in Santee for 36 years and the changes have been extensive. Traffic has been, and still is, a big problem. However, that's a problem in most CA towns and  More

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Over 14 years ago

San Diego in general is a very expensive place to live. Santee is less so but compared to the rest of the country we are way over  More

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Over 18 years ago

Santee has a great quality of life,low crime, good schools(some of the best schools east county has to offer), fairly short commute time, as it is fairly well central in  More

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Reviews for Big Bear City    3 Reviews

Over 18 years ago

this place is great for outdoor  More

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Having lived in Big Bear City, CA for over 6 years, I can tell you that it is one of the best places to raise a family. The schools are excellent, from elementary to  More

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Over 19 years ago

beautiful in the summertime, zowie, would not want to be anywhere else. the cost of living nickels and dimes you to death. one cable choice (expensive), at least 20  More

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