Rents are 15% below what Malibu's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
November. Asking rents in Malibu usually run 2.6% below trend in November and 2.8% above it in May, about $711 a month apart at today's median. Based on 11 years of data.
Rent in Malibu is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in January 2015.
Rent in Malibu changed +5.5% over the year to September 2026. Across the 336 California cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +3.4%.
From 2019 to 2024, rent in Malibu rose 51% while median household income rose 29% ($150,747 to $194,421). Rent outpaced income.
Rent in Malibu is 56.9% higher than in March 2020. Across the US, rent is up 37.3% over the same stretch.
Rent has risen 6 months in a row, and rose in 8 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($194,421) is $4,861 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($3,940); a 3-bedroom is $5,010.
Westlake Village, 5 miles away, rents for 68% less ($4,242/mo), about $107,000 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Malibu. The seasonal pattern compares Zillow’s seasonally adjusted and unadjusted series. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
Is your rent fair?
Compare your rent to the local median.
Who lives here
Malibu, CA is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 68.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Malibu, CA has changed in 5 years
Five years ago, renters in Malibu, CA paid around $10,045 a month. That figure now sits near $13,161, up 31.0% from the 2021 baseline. Census figures show median household income at $194,421 today, compared with $178,594 five years earlier. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Census counts show Malibu, CA losing about 494 residents over the five-year window, down 4.5% on net. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2021.
Discussions about Malibu
No discussions yet. Start the conversation.
Can you afford rent in Malibu on your salary?
At $13,161/mo, how Malibu rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Malibu rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Malibu. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Malibu
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Malibu is $13,161/mo as of October 2026.
At 81% of local median household income ($194,421/yr), Malibu ranks as expensive compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 5.5% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Malibu?
Is rent going up or down in Malibu?
When is the cheapest time to rent in Malibu?
Has rent outpaced income in Malibu?
How does Malibu rent compare to other cities in California?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Malibu?
At $13,161/mo, rent takes ~81% of Malibu's median household income ($194,421/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
How does this area stack up?
Pick another city or ZIP to compare.
Estimated from ZIP-level data
Be the first to submit your rent for Malibu.
No discussions yet.