Can A Carpenter Afford Rent in Malibu, CA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 219.6% of gross income.
Malibu rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (California state estimate).
About rent and a carpenter salary
Carpenter pay sits modestly above the US median household income and covers comfortable rent in most lower- and mid-cost metros. Union carpenters in high-cost cities often earn well above the BLS mean. At the national-average carpenter salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,524 a month in rent.
Cheaper rent nearby
These California cities have lower median rent than Malibu, which improves the affordability math on a carpenter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Malibu
View full rent data for Malibu, CA →Frequently asked questions
Can a carpenter afford rent in Malibu, CA?
Median rent in Malibu is $13,161 a month. A typical carpenter in California earns about $71,909 a year, which makes that rent 219.6% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can a carpenter afford in Malibu?
Using the 30% rule, a carpenter salary in California (~$71,909/yr) supports up to $1,798 a month in rent. Malibu's current median rent is $13,161/mo, which is $11,363/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a carpenter work to cover rent in Malibu?
At an hourly equivalent of about $35 an hour, a carpenter in California works roughly 380.7 hours a month to cover Malibu's median rent of $13,161.
Where is rent cheaper than Malibu for a carpenter?
Nearby California cities with lower median rent include Isla Vista ($9,714/mo), Isla Vista ($9,682/mo), Isla Vista ($9,431/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a carpenter salary.