Big Bear City, CA Airbnb Market Data, Statistics, and Occupancy Rates

Big Bear City Short-Term Rental Market Overview

Big Bear City is a mountain destination market with 980 active Airbnb listings and a distinct winter-heavy revenue pattern that peaks at $3,172 in December. With an average daily rate of $334 — well below the $551 California state average — and an average annual revenue of $22,090, the market rewards investors who can price competitively and capture both ski-season and summer demand. An ROI score of 35 out of 100 signals that while demand exists, higher property prices relative to income and softer occupancy at 33% mean selective deal sourcing is essential.

Key Market Statistics

According to Rabbu market data, the Big Bear City short-term rental market shows:

Data sources: Rabbu proprietary analytics as of Apr, 27 2026 and Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI) as of Mar, 17 2026.

Why Investors Consider Big Bear City

Big Bear City attracts investors with its proximity to the greater Los Angeles metro, year-round outdoor recreation appeal, and strong winter demand that can generate outsized returns during peak months.

Expert Market Assessment

"Big Bear City presents a competitive rather than easy-entry opportunity for STR investors. Revenue swings sharply with the seasons — December alone generates nearly three times what hosts earn in the slowest months of April and May — so cash-flow planning around off-peak periods is critical. The market's below-average revenue-to-price ratio and occupancy stability mean that profitability hinges on property selection, with larger homes significantly outperforming smaller units on every revenue metric. Investors willing to source the right deal and optimize for seasonal demand can still find viable returns, but a passive approach is unlikely to succeed here."

— Rabbu Market Analysis Team

Key Airbnb Metrics & Trends in Big Bear City

Average revenue by month in Big Bear City

Big Bear City shows pronounced dual-peak seasonality: December is the top earner at $3,172 and January follows at $2,644, while the summer months of July ($2,052) and August ($2,112) form a secondary peak. Off-peak months from April through June dip below $1,250, creating a roughly 2.8x spread between the best and weakest months that investors need to plan around.

Active Airbnb listings by property size in Big Bear City

Two-bedroom properties dominate supply with 412 listings (42% of the market), followed by 3-bedrooms at 314 — together they represent nearly three-quarters of all inventory. Larger configurations of 5 bedrooms (42 listings) and 6+ bedrooms (12 listings) are notably scarce, which may present a supply gap for investors targeting high-revenue properties.

Average daily rate (ADR) by property size in Big Bear City

ADR climbs steeply with size, from $137 for studios to $1,340 for 6+ bedroom homes — nearly a 10x premium. The most compelling jump occurs between 3 bedrooms ($339) and 4 bedrooms ($528), where the ADR increases by 56%, making that transition point worth evaluating for the best rate-to-acquisition-cost trade-off.

Average RevPAN by property size in Big Bear City

RevPAN rises sharply with property size, from $60 for studios and 1-bedrooms to $457 for 6+ bedroom properties. Four-bedroom units at $183 RevPAN deliver more than double the 2-bedroom figure of $82, underscoring that larger cabins convert their higher nightly rates into meaningfully better revenue even after accounting for similar occupancy levels.

Average occupancy rates by property size in Big Bear City

Occupancy rates are remarkably flat across most property sizes, ranging from 31% for 1- and 3-bedroom units to 35% for 4- and 5-bedroom homes. Studios are the outlier at 44%, though with only 8 listings in the market, this figure may reflect a small-sample effect rather than a reliable trend for investors to act on.

Average monthly revenue by property size in Big Bear City

Monthly revenue scales dramatically with property size — 6+ bedroom homes lead at $11,331 per month, more than seven times what studios ($1,131) and 1-bedrooms ($1,233) generate. The 4-bedroom tier at $2,942 per month represents a practical sweet spot, delivering nearly double the 2-bedroom average ($1,513) without the operational complexity of managing very large properties.

Average annual revenue by property size in Big Bear City

Annual revenue ranges from $13,579 for studios to $135,973 for 6+ bedroom properties, with each step up in bedroom count yielding meaningfully higher income. Five-bedroom properties averaging $48,045 annually offer strong return potential, though investors should weigh acquisition and maintenance costs against the $22,474 generated by the more common 3-bedroom cabins when evaluating overall ROI.

Most common amenities for Airbnb listings in Big Bear City

Kitchens (99%) and parking (97%) are near-universal, reflecting the cabin-stay expectations of Big Bear City guests who drive up from Southern California. BBQ grills (88%), patios or balconies (85%), and backyards (84%) signal that outdoor living space is a baseline expectation, while hot tubs — present in 46% of listings — offer a clear differentiator that can help a property stand out and command higher rates.

Understanding Big Bear City's ROI Score: 35/100

Rabbu's ROI Score is a proprietary metric that evaluates short-term rental investment potential based on multiple factors.

How the ROI Score is Calculated

What This Means for Investors

Big Bear City's ROI score of 35 out of 100 places it in the 'Competitive Opportunity' band, reflecting a market where demand exists but returns require careful execution. Both the revenue-to-price ratio and occupancy stability scored below average, meaning property prices are elevated relative to the income they generate and occupancy fluctuates significantly with the seasons. Investors should pair this data with thorough local regulatory research and focus on property configurations — particularly larger cabins — that consistently outperform market averages.

Short-Term Rental Regulations in Big Bear City

Understanding local STR regulations is essential before investing in Big Bear City. Here's the current regulatory landscape:

Permit Requirements

Short-term rental operators in Big Bear City, California may need to obtain a vacation rental permit or registration through San Bernardino County or any applicable local ordinance. Investors should verify current permitting requirements directly with the city and county before listing a property.

Key Restrictions

Common restrictions in mountain resort communities like Big Bear City can include occupancy limits based on bedroom count, minimum stay requirements during certain seasons, noise ordinances, parking restrictions tied to snow removal, and potential caps on the number of permits issued. HOA covenants in many cabin communities may also limit or prohibit short-term rentals, so reviewing CC&Rs before purchasing is important.

Tax Obligations

Short-term rental hosts in California are generally subject to transient occupancy tax (TOT), and in some cases additional tourism or county assessments. Many platforms collect and remit these taxes automatically, but operators should confirm their obligations with local tax authorities to ensure full compliance.

Regulations subject to change. Always verify with local authorities before purchasing. A Rabbu partner agent specializing in Big Bear City can provide current regulatory guidance.

Future Outlook & Long-Term Forecast

"Over the next 12–18 months, Big Bear City's short-term rental market is expected to follow its established dual-peak seasonality, with winter months (December through February) and summer months (July–August) driving the bulk of revenue. Listing supply grew at roughly 103% year-over-year, suggesting the market is absorbing new inventory, though occupancy may face modest downward pressure if that pace continues. Investors can reasonably anticipate ADR holding steady or edging up 1–3% given California's inflation dynamics, while occupancy rates are likely to hover in the 30–35% range market-wide. Targeting larger properties — particularly 4- and 5-bedroom cabins — could help outperform these averages, as they command meaningfully higher RevPAN."

— Rabbu Market Analysis Team

Frequently asked questions about Airbnb in Big Bear City, CA

What is the average Airbnb occupancy rate in Big Bear City?

The average occupancy rate for Airbnb listings in Big Bear City is currently 33%, which falls below the California state average of 43%. Occupancy varies by property size, with studios leading at 44% and most other bedroom counts clustering around 31–35%. The lower overall rate reflects Big Bear City's heavy seasonality — demand surges during winter and summer but drops off considerably in spring and fall shoulder months.

How much do Airbnb hosts make in Big Bear City?

On average, Airbnb hosts in Big Bear City earn approximately $1,840 per month, or about $22,090 annually, based on trailing 12-month booking data. Earnings vary significantly by property size: studios and 1-bedroom units average around $13,500–$14,800 per year, while 5-bedroom properties average $48,045 and 6+ bedroom homes can reach approximately $135,973 annually. Peak months like December ($3,172) and January ($2,644) account for a large share of annual income.

Is Big Bear City a good market for Airbnb investment?

Big Bear City scores 35 out of 100 on Rabbu's ROI Score, placing it in the 'Competitive Opportunity' category. This means investor interest and demand are present, but the revenue-to-price ratio and occupancy stability both fall below average, requiring more strategic deal selection. Investors who target larger properties and optimize for the winter peak season tend to perform best. Pairing market data with thorough local regulatory research and a solid pricing strategy is especially important in this market.

What is the average daily rate (ADR) for Airbnb in Big Bear City?

The current average daily rate in Big Bear City is $334, which is considerably lower than the $551 California state average. ADR scales steeply with property size — from $137 for studios up to $1,340 for 6+ bedroom properties. Three-bedroom cabins, which are common in the market, average $339 per night, while 4-bedroom units command $528.

Are short-term rentals legal in Big Bear City?

Short-term rentals do operate in Big Bear City, with 980 active Airbnb listings currently tracked. However, operators may need to secure permits or registrations through local or county authorities. Regulations can change, so prospective investors should verify current rules with San Bernardino County and any applicable Big Bear City ordinances before purchasing or listing a property.

When is peak season for Airbnb in Big Bear City?

Peak season in Big Bear City centers on winter, with December ($3,172 average monthly revenue) and January ($2,644) leading the year by a wide margin. February ($2,303) and March ($2,014) also perform well as the ski season continues. A secondary peak occurs in summer, with July ($2,052) and August ($2,112) driven by lake recreation and outdoor activities. The slowest months are April through June and September through October, when average revenue dips to the $1,100–$1,400 range.

How many Airbnbs are there in Big Bear City?

As of April 2026, there are 980 active Airbnb listings in Big Bear City. The market is dominated by 2-bedroom (412 listings) and 3-bedroom (314 listings) properties, which together account for roughly 74% of supply. Larger properties with 4+ bedrooms make up a smaller share but generate substantially higher revenue per listing.

How is Airbnb revenue calculated in Big Bear City?

The annual and monthly revenue figures shown for Big Bear City are derived from the trailing 12 months of historical booking performance for active comparable Airbnb listings in the market — they are not forward-looking projections. Rabbu averages each comparable listing's actual revenue per available night (RevPAN) by month over the past year, removes regional outliers, and rolls the remaining data up to a market-level historical average. Because each month uses its own historical performance, the figures naturally reflect seasonal peaks like December and slower periods like May. Individual results can vary meaningfully based on property quality, pricing strategy, amenities, and operational management.

About Rabbu Market Data

Rabbu provides Airbnb and short-term rental market data and statistics across the United States. Our mission is to empower investors with accurate insights and easy-to-use tools, so they can confidently identify and act on the best opportunities in the Airbnb market.

What this data includes

• Regularly updated active Airbnb and STR listing counts for the Big Bear City market
• Average daily rates, occupancy rates, and revenue per available night metrics
• Monthly and annual revenue trends broken out by property size
• Popular amenity prevalence across active listings
• Home value benchmarks sourced from Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI)

Sources and disclaimers

Rabbu proprietary analytics as of Apr, 27 2026 and Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI) as of Mar, 17 2026. Revenue projections are estimates based on comparable properties and do not guarantee future performance. Local regulations, permit requirements, and tax obligations can change; always verify with local authorities before investing. Individual property results will vary based on location, condition, amenities, pricing strategy, and management quality.