Malibu 53 Poor
Malibu Livability #979 ranked city in California#24,630 ranked city in the USARanks better than 15% of areas
Is This the Right Place for You? Local Insights Report
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Local Insights Report

Pros and Cons of Living in Malibu

PROS
  • Employment Employment

    This area scores extremely well in the employment category. This is primarily due to the combination of low unemployment rates, higher median home income and income per capita.

  • Ratings Ratings

    Local residents have positive feedback regarding the convenience of amenities, parks, public transit, the friendliness of neighbors, the strong sense of community, and the overall safety of the area.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    It appears that many amenities may not be conveniently situated within walking distance, potentially necessitating the use of a vehicle or public transit.

  • Commute Commute

    Commuters in this area may experience longer-than-average work commute times due to limited public transportation access.

  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    Residents of this area contend with a high cost of living, resulting in increased expenditures for everyday goods and services, housing, utilities and health care.

  • Crime Crime

    High crime rates per 100,000 people are reported in this area, potentially indicating that it is an unsafe place to live. These statistics consider both violent and property offenses.

What's it like Living in Malibu?

Located in the state of California, Malibu is a moderately-sized city with a population of 12,620 residents. The majority of Malibu residents report their race to be White; this is followed by Asian and Black. Based on an average age of 51, Malibu appears to be well-suited for seniors or retirees as the average age is well above the national average. Something to be aware of when living in Malibu are the above average commute times. If you're looking for a short commute to work, this might not be the right area for you. With one way commute time of 35 minutes, this comes in much higher than the national average of 26 minutes.

Living in Malibu can be a good experience for anyone relocating to the town. Having said that, in the state of California, there are many amazing places to live, so choose wisely! When searching for a new neighborhood, several factors play a vital role in determining its suitability. Safety should be a top priority, ensuring a secure environment with low crime rates. Proximity to your workplace or school helps minimize commuting time and allows for a better work-life balance. Availability of essential amenities such as parks, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities contributes to convenience and well-being. Access to reliable public transportation options facilitates easy commuting and connectivity. Additionally, considering the sense of community and the overall atmosphere that resonates with your lifestyle and preferences fosters a harmonious living experience. With useful information like crime, cost of living, housing and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Malibu and in the areas around Malibu is a much easier task.

Malibu, CA receives 53 out of 100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #941 in California and #24,078 in the USA. This score ranks well below the national average. With such a low livability score, it might be worth investigating a little further. There are nine total categories that form the livability score. Malibu scores well for education (B) Malibu does not rank well for the following: amenities (F), crime (F) and cost of living (F). It might be a smart idea to take a closer look at each category to find out why.

The Malibu unemployment rate of 2.6% has continued to decrease over the years and is now well below the national average. The result could lead to reduced poverty and inequality in the area, higher wages and increased economic growth. This is a positive sign in the overall health of the local economy.

There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Malibu is actually affordable. Median real estate prices in Malibu come in at $3,522,635, which is 381.4% higher than the California average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Malibu, the home price to income ratio is 14.7, which is 90.9% higher than the California average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Malibu

See all the best places to live around Malibu

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      Malibu transportation information

      Statistic Malibu California National
      Average one way commute35min28min26min
      Workers who drive to work60.3%73.5%76.4%
      Workers who carpool5.3%10.6%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit1.5%5.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.1%1.1%0.6%
      Workers who walk2.6%2.7%2.8%
      Working from home29.4%5.4%4.6%
      Source: The Malibu, CA data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.