×
Your
Big Bear City
Retirement Outlook — in 90 seconds
Hosted by Michael McMillan, President of Annuities.net
Every figure mentioned is drawn from the same sourced public data shown below — and the video updates as the data does.
Stat icon
12,621
+
Total Population
Stat icon
$
50,069
Median Income
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$
296,800
Median Home
Stat icon
20
%
Age 65+
Retirement Suitability
How
Big Bear City
ranks for retirees?
11
/ 100

A blended, sourced view of how this city ranks for retirees across tax, affordability, healthcare, and climate.

Tax
8
Affordability
12
Healthcare
14
Climate
8

Results

Big Bear City

Suitability Breakdown

Retirement tax planning
01 - Taxes

Retirement Tax Treatment

Tax
8

California taxes retirement income but leaves Social Security benefits untouched, which matters for residents drawing on those benefits.

State sales tax here runs about

7

%.

Source · Tax Foundation
8
7
Retirement tax planning
02 - Income

Annuity Rates Available Here

Affordability
12

Fixed annuity rates reach up to

7

% on 5-year terms, with most landing between

5

% and

5

%.

Source · Cannex
12
Retirement tax planning
03 - Healthcare

Hospital Access & Quality

Healthcare
14

The area has

18

Medicare-certified hospitals, averaging a

3

/5 CMS quality rating.

Source · CMS Hospital Compare
3
Retirement tax planning
04 - Climate

Weather & Comfort

Climate
8

A

Cold / Snowy

climate — summers peak near

79

°F, winters dip to about

22

°F, with roughly

66

″ of snow a year.

Source · NOAA Climate Normals
Cold / Snowy
Retirement tax planning
05 - Risk

Natural Disaster Risk

Risk
Very High

FEMA's overall natural-disaster risk rating for this county on the National Risk Index.

Source · FEMA National Risk Index
Very High

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does California tax Social Security income for retirees in Big Bear City?

California does not tax Social Security benefits, which can meaningfully stretch retirement income for Big Bear City residents. Other retirement income sources, such as pensions, may be treated differently under state law. With one in five residents aged 65 or older, understanding how California taxes various income streams is an important part of retirement planning here.

What are the hospitals like near Big Bear City for Medicare patients?

The area is served by 18 Medicare-certified hospitals. However, those facilities average 2.53 out of 5 stars on CMS quality ratings, which falls below the national midpoint. Retirees relying on Medicare should research individual hospital quality and consider how distance and mountain terrain might affect access to care in an emergency.

How affordable is housing in Big Bear City for someone retiring on a fixed income?

The median home value in Big Bear City is $296,800, and the median household income is $50,069. Those figures suggest housing costs are moderate relative to broader California markets, though a fixed retirement income still requires careful budgeting. Homeownership is common here, which can reduce ongoing housing expenses compared to renting.

What weather and natural-disaster risks should retirees consider in Big Bear City?

Big Bear City has a cold, snowy climate with average winter lows near 22°F and about 66 inches of annual snowfall, which can complicate mobility and access to services for older residents. Beyond winter weather, FEMA rates this county’s overall natural-disaster risk as Very High, a factor worth factoring into housing, insurance, and emergency planning decisions.

Can a guaranteed annuity help cover living expenses for retirees in Big Bear City, California?

With one in five Big Bear City residents aged 65 or older and a median household income of $50,069, predictable income matters here. A multi-year guaranteed annuity, or MYGA, locks in a fixed interest rate for a set term, so a portion of savings grows at a known pace. That certainty can help cover recurring costs — heating bills during 22°F winters, healthcare gaps near hospitals rated below the national average — without guessing what markets will do. California does not tax Social Security, which pairs well with a MYGA as a supplemental income layer. Current rates change often, so check our current annuity rates page for today’s figures.

See Current Annuity Rates