Studio Apartment Rent in Malibu, CA
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Malibu, California as of July 2026. That's +77% lower than the citywide median of $11,932 and +116% above the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio 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 studio at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Malibu
Compare Malibu's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a studio in California
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florin | $738 |
| 2 | Ridgecrest | $838 |
| 3 | Taft | $870 |
| 4 | Lakeport | $890 |
| 5 | El Centro | $910 |
| 6 | Barstow | $920 |
| 7 | Red Bluff | $930 |
| 8 | California City | $940 |
| 9 | Clearlake | $950 |
| 10 | Paradise | $970 |
| 11 | Eureka | $980 |
| 12 | Oroville | $985 |
| 13 | Florence-Graham | $1,029 |
| 14 | Porterville | $1,050 |
| 15 | Anderson | $1,060 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in California
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Cruz | $3,520 |
| 2 | Scotts Valley | $3,420 |
| 3 | Aptos | $3,420 |
| 4 | Cupertino | $3,410 |
| 5 | Coronado | $3,190 |
| 6 | Ladera Ranch | $3,140 |
| 7 | Los Altos | $3,130 |
| 8 | Foster City | $3,130 |
| 9 | Newport Beach | $3,102 |
| 10 | Capitola | $3,100 |
| 11 | Coto de Caza | $3,070 |
| 12 | Sunnyvale | $3,010 |
| 13 | Santa Barbara | $3,000 |
| 14 | Irvine | $3,000 |
| 15 | Solana Beach | $2,970 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Malibu.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Malibu |
|---|---|---|---|
| Westlake Village, CA | 5.7 mi | $2,440 | $-350 (-13%) |
| Agoura Hills, CA | 7.2 mi | $2,790 | — |
| Oak Park, CA | 9.9 mi | $2,570 | $-220 (-8%) |
| Calabasas, CA | 12.7 mi | $2,790 | — |
| Topanga, CA | 16.1 mi | $2,790 | — |
| Moorpark, CA | 16.2 mi | $2,110 | $-680 (-24%) |
| Camarillo, CA | 16.5 mi | $2,130 | $-660 (-24%) |
| Simi Valley, CA | 17 mi | $2,165 | $-625 (-22%) |
| Port Hueneme, CA | 17.7 mi | $1,760 | $-1,030 (-37%) |
| Oxnard, CA | 24.5 mi | $1,720 | $-1,070 (-38%) |
| Santa Monica, CA | 25 mi | $2,352 | $-438 (-16%) |
| Stevenson Ranch, CA | 25.9 mi | $2,540 | $-250 (-9%) |
Studio rent in Malibu — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Malibu?
As of July 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Malibu, California is $2,790 per month. This is +77% below the citywide median of $11,932.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Malibu?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $111,600 ($9,300/month gross), which works out to roughly $53.65/hour at a full-time job.
Is Malibu expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Malibu's studio median of $2,790 is +116% above the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 99th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Malibu rank for studio rent in California?
Among the 383 cities in California with studio data, Malibu ranks #357 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Malibu?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Westlake Village ($2,440), Oak Park ($2,570), Moorpark ($2,110).