1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Malibu, CA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Malibu, California as of October 2026. That's +76% lower than the citywide median of $13,161 and +124% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Malibu
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Malibu
Compare Malibu's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in California
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taft | $880 |
| 2 | Lakeport | $900 |
| 3 | Ridgecrest | $938 |
| 4 | California City | $950 |
| 5 | Clearlake | $950 |
| 6 | Oroville | $1,005 |
| 7 | El Centro | $1,020 |
| 8 | Paradise | $1,020 |
| 9 | Red Bluff | $1,030 |
| 10 | Eureka | $1,040 |
| 11 | Fortuna | $1,050 |
| 12 | Porterville | $1,060 |
| 13 | Shafter | $1,060 |
| 14 | Tehachapi | $1,110 |
| 15 | Hanford | $1,120 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in California
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Montecito | $4,030 |
| 2 | Cupertino | $3,880 |
| 3 | Foster City | $3,820 |
| 4 | Scotts Valley | $3,600 |
| 5 | Aptos | $3,600 |
| 6 | Tiburon | $3,530 |
| 7 | Los Altos | $3,530 |
| 8 | Coronado | $3,460 |
| 9 | Sunnyvale | $3,438 |
| 10 | Millbrae | $3,410 |
| 11 | Corte Madera | $3,390 |
| 12 | Santa Barbara | $3,382 |
| 13 | Palo Alto | $3,305 |
| 14 | Mountain View | $3,303 |
| 15 | Ladera Ranch | $3,280 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Malibu.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Malibu |
|---|---|---|---|
| Westlake Village, CA | 5.7 mi | $2,780 | $-350 (-11%) |
| Agoura Hills, CA | 7.2 mi | $3,120 | $-10 (0%) |
| Oak Park, CA | 9.9 mi | $2,950 | $-180 (-6%) |
| Calabasas, CA | 12.7 mi | $3,120 | $-10 (0%) |
| Topanga, CA | 16.1 mi | $3,120 | $-10 (0%) |
| Moorpark, CA | 16.2 mi | $2,420 | $-710 (-23%) |
| Camarillo, CA | 16.5 mi | $2,445 | $-685 (-22%) |
| Simi Valley, CA | 17 mi | $2,480 | $-650 (-21%) |
| Port Hueneme, CA | 17.7 mi | $2,010 | $-1,120 (-36%) |
| Oxnard, CA | 24.5 mi | $1,980 | $-1,150 (-37%) |
| Santa Monica, CA | 25 mi | $2,638 | $-492 (-16%) |
| Stevenson Ranch, CA | 25.9 mi | $2,850 | $-280 (-9%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Malibu — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Malibu?
As of October 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Malibu, California is $3,130 per month. This is +76% below the citywide median of $13,161.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Malibu?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $125,200 ($10,433/month gross), which works out to roughly $60.19/hour at a full-time job.
Is Malibu expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Malibu's 1-bedroom median of $3,130 is +124% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 99th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Malibu rank for 1-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 380 cities in California with 1-bedroom data, Malibu ranks #357 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Malibu?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Westlake Village ($2,780), Agoura Hills ($3,120), Oak Park ($2,950).