3-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Malibu, CA
Median asking rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in Malibu, California as of October 2026. That's +62% lower than the citywide median of $13,161 and +135% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130.
Income needed for a 3-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 3-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 3-bedroom in California
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ridgecrest | $1,579 |
| 2 | Taft | $1,600 |
| 3 | Lakeport | $1,650 |
| 4 | Westmont | $1,663 |
| 5 | California City | $1,720 |
| 6 | Clearlake | $1,750 |
| 7 | Red Bluff | $1,780 |
| 8 | El Centro | $1,820 |
| 9 | Oroville | $1,840 |
| 10 | Paradise | $1,860 |
| 11 | Florin | $1,875 |
| 12 | Isla Vista | $1,904 |
| 13 | Eureka | $1,910 |
| 14 | Porterville | $1,910 |
| 15 | Fortuna | $1,920 |
Most expensive cities for a 3-bedroom in California
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Montecito | $6,010 |
| 2 | Scotts Valley | $5,870 |
| 3 | Aptos | $5,870 |
| 4 | Cupertino | $5,850 |
| 5 | Coronado | $5,720 |
| 6 | Foster City | $5,690 |
| 7 | Los Altos | $5,380 |
| 8 | Capitola | $5,340 |
| 9 | Solana Beach | $5,330 |
| 10 | Tiburon | $5,250 |
| 11 | Ladera Ranch | $5,250 |
| 12 | Newport Beach | $5,178 |
| 13 | Sunnyvale | $5,173 |
| 14 | Millbrae | $5,080 |
| 15 | Santa Barbara | $5,050 |
Nearby cities — 3-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 3-bedroom rents than Malibu.
| City | Distance | 3-Bedroom rent | vs Malibu |
|---|---|---|---|
| Westlake Village, CA | 5.7 mi | $4,500 | $-510 (-10%) |
| Agoura Hills, CA | 7.2 mi | $5,010 | — |
| Oak Park, CA | 9.9 mi | $4,820 | $-190 (-4%) |
| Calabasas, CA | 12.7 mi | $5,010 | — |
| Topanga, CA | 16.1 mi | $5,010 | — |
| Moorpark, CA | 16.2 mi | $3,940 | $-1,070 (-21%) |
| Camarillo, CA | 16.5 mi | $3,990 | $-1,020 (-20%) |
| Simi Valley, CA | 17 mi | $4,050 | $-960 (-19%) |
| Port Hueneme, CA | 17.7 mi | $3,290 | $-1,720 (-34%) |
| Oxnard, CA | 24.5 mi | $3,240 | $-1,770 (-35%) |
| Santa Monica, CA | 25 mi | $4,230 | $-780 (-16%) |
| Stevenson Ranch, CA | 25.9 mi | $4,560 | $-450 (-9%) |
3-Bedroom rent in Malibu — common questions
How much is a 3-bedroom apartment in Malibu?
As of October 2026, the median 3-bedroom apartment rent in Malibu, California is $5,010 per month. This is +62% below the citywide median of $13,161.
What income do you need to afford a 3-bedroom in Malibu?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $200,400 ($16,700/month gross), which works out to roughly $96.35/hour at a full-time job.
Is Malibu expensive for a 3-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Malibu's 3-bedroom median of $5,010 is +135% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130. It ranks in the 99th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Malibu rank for 3-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 381 cities in California with 3-bedroom data, Malibu ranks #360 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 3-bedroom options near Malibu?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 3-bedroom rents include Westlake Village ($4,500), Oak Park ($4,820), Moorpark ($3,940).