The big brown bat is found from southern Canada and Alaska to as far south as Colombia and Venezuela. It has also been seen in the Caribbean in both the Greater and Lesser Antilles, including Cuba, Hispaniola, Dominica, Barbados, and the Bahamas. The big brown bat has been seen from 300–3,100 m (980–10,170 ft) above sea level. It is able to live in urban, suburban, or rural environments.