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City Report · CA

Malibu

Pop. 10,421·1st most expensive in California·Malibu rents have dropped 25.9%, currently a renter's market
Median rent (all units)
$11,932/mo
Year-over-Year
-25.9%
Month-over-Month
-7.8%
vs US Median
+$9,967
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Malibu · $11,932
More expensive than 100% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
74% of income
EXPENSIVE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $11,932/mo, rent takes about 74% of the local median household income, well above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$477,000/yr
Local median income
$194,421/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Malibu's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$143,184/yr
At $11,932/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 25.9% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (-25.9% YoY, -7.8% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

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.

Population
10,421
Median income
$194,421
Median age
53.9
Renters
24.6%
Age distribution
16%
16.6%
18.4%
17.2%
31.8%
Under 1816%
18–3416.6%
35–5418.4%
55–6417.2%
65+31.8%
Gender
50.7%
49.3%
Male50.7%
Female49.3%
Race & ethnicity
79%
White79%
Black0.8%
Hispanic9.7%
Asian2.9%
Other7.6%
Education (25+)
20.4%
68.6%
No HS diploma1.8%
HS diploma9.2%
Some college20.4%
Bachelor's+68.6%
Housing tenure
75.4%
24.6%
Owner75.4%
Renter24.6%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Malibu, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$13,358 → $11,932
down 10.7%
Income
$178,594 → $194,421
up 8.9%
Population
10,915 → 10,421
down 4.5%
Renter share
23.6% → 24.6%
+1.0 pts
Bachelor's+
67.9% → 68.6%
+0.7 pts
Median age
49.6 → 53.9
+4.3 yrs

Five years ago, renters in Malibu, CA paid around $13,358 a month. That figure now sits near $11,932, down 10.7% from the 2021 baseline. Census figures show median household income at $194,421 today, compared with $178,594 five years earlier. With wages climbing faster than rent over the same window, renters here have a bit more breathing room than they did five years back. 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.

Community

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View Malibu rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Malibu on your salary?

At $11,932/mo, how Malibu rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Malibu rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Malibu. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Malibu

About renting in Malibu, CA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Malibu is $11,932/mo as of July 2026.

At 74% of local median household income ($194,421/yr), Malibu ranks as expensive compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 25.9% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Malibu an affordable city for renters?

Malibu is considered expensive for renters. At $11,932/mo, rent takes approximately 74% of the local median household income ($194,421/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Malibu significantly exceeds that threshold, making it challenging for many renters.

How much income do you need to rent in Malibu?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $477,000/year (~$229/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $11,932/mo in Malibu. The local median household income is $194,421/yr, meaning the typical Malibu household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Malibu?

Rent in Malibu has decreased 25.9% over the past year as of July 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

How does Malibu rent compare to other cities in California?

Malibu is one of the pricier cities in California for rent, ranking #1 out of 387 tracked cities at $11,932/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Malibu?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Malibu ($11,932/mo): Thousand Oaks ($3,274/mo), Oak Park ($3,286/mo), Calabasas ($3,781/mo).

What percentage of Malibu residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 24.6% of Malibu households are renters, while 75.4% are owner-occupied. Malibu leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Malibu rent compare to the national average?

Malibu's median rent of $11,932/mo is $9,967 (507%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within California, it ranks #1 out of 387 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
74%
EXPENSIVE

At $11,932/mo, rent takes ~74% of Malibu's median household income ($194,421/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Malibu 74%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
Run the Malibu affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Malibu, CA

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