Malibu

Serene and sun-soaked, the area represents the ultimate retreat.
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Welcome to Malibu

Cliffside homes, pristine beaches, and breathtaking views are hallmarks of this area.
 
Malibu is home to many celebrities and entertainment industry tycoons. Serene and sun-soaked, the area represents the ultimate retreat.

Malibu owes its name to the Chumash, Native Americans who originally settled there and named it Humaliwo, which means "the surf sounds loudly.” The area was highly secluded until 1929 when the Pacific Coast Highway was built. Now Malibu is a thoroughfare for many vacationers driving up and down the California coast, and a highly revered destination for Los Angeles locals.
 

The Neighbors

Privacy-seekers and beach-lovers.

Though Highway 1 runs through Malibu, its oceanfront homes maintain a distinct sense of privacy.
 

What to Expect

Secluded beaches, charming restaurants, and plenty of convertibles on the road.

In addition to its residents, Malibu—aka the ’Bu—attracts surfers, swimmers, and sun-seeking daytrippers. It’s a neighborhood of active individuals who balance jogging along the beach and hiking the nearby canyons while enjoying oysters and fresh seafood at the many bustling restaurants along the coastline. Jagged cliffs, secluded coves, and miles of sparkling ocean draw people from all over the city to Malibu’s stunning shores.
 

The Lifestyle

Serene, healthful, and beach-centric.

Health and fitness reign among Malibu denizens, with beach-lovers breaking from athletic pursuits to bask in the area’s clear blue skies and less-populated beaches.
 

Unexpected Appeal

Quiet, uneventful evenings.

Malibu is best enjoyed during daytime drives along its coastline and picnics on the beach, with little action taking place once the sun goes down.
 

The Market

Serene, beachfront oases.

Malibu’s sparkling ocean views and expansive floor plans come with a steep price tag, with oceanfront homes commanding multi million-dollar sums.
 

You'll Fall In Love With

Coastal views, fresh seafood, and azure shoreline.

Malibu features some of California’s most idyllic coastline, upscale retail, and delicious seafood, from healthy daily catches at Malibu Farm to crispy Neptune’s Net takeaway. The neighborhood’s pristine beaches are famed for a reason, representing some of California’s most stunning scenery.
 

Real Estate Market Snapshot

Malibu is one of Southern California's most storied coastal markets — and in 2026, one defined by softening prices and a genuinely wider range of negotiating leverage than in recent years. As of mid-2026, figures vary meaningfully by source and methodology: Zillow's typical home value sits around $3.2 million (up modestly year-over-year), while Redfin's recent three-month median sale price has run between $3.6 million and $4.8 million depending on the reporting window, down 12% to 35% year-over-year in several readings. Realtor.com's February 2026 data showed a median listing price of $5.675 million with homes selling roughly 6% below asking on average.

 
The market is genuinely stratified by sub-area. Realtor.com's neighborhood-level data showed Trancas Canyon around a $3.9 million median listing, Central Malibu near $7.38 million, Eastern Malibu around $6.99 million, Western Malibu near $8 million, Malibu Park at $9.275 million, and Point Dume at $10.85 million — a spread that makes citywide averages nearly meaningless for pricing any individual property. Days on market have stretched to 91 to 175 days depending on the source, and sale-to-list ratios in the low-to-mid 90s reflect a buyer-favorable environment unlike anything the market has seen in several years.
 

Types of Homes Available

Malibu offers oceanfront and near-oceanfront estates in Point Dume, Malibu Colony, and Carbon Beach, hillside and canyon homes in Malibu Park and Trancas Canyon with privacy and mountain views, a smaller supply of condominiums offering more accessible entry points (with condos averaging around $1.2 million to $1.66 million versus $3.5 million to $3.77 million for single-family homes), and land and redevelopment opportunities throughout the city's canyon corridors.

 
The average Malibu home is roughly 3,000 to 3,700 square feet and dates to the mid-1970s to late 1980s, meaning renovation and rebuild potential is baked into much of the existing inventory. The market splits into three broad tiers: land deals and modest homes starting around $2.2 million, median single-family purchases in the $3.5 million to $5 million range, and trophy oceanfront properties pushing past $13 million.
 

Most Coveted Neighborhoods & Luxury Communities

Point Dume commands Malibu's highest median pricing, prized for its bluff-top privacy, larger lots, and proximity to Point Dume State Beach. Malibu Colony and Carbon Beach ("Billionaire's Beach") remain the city's most recognized oceanfront addresses, trading on scarcity and direct sand access. Malibu Park and Western Malibu offer premium hillside and canyon living with meaningfully larger parcels, while Trancas Canyon provides a relatively more accessible entry point into the broader Malibu market.

 

FAQs About Malibu

What is the average home price in Malibu, CA?

As of mid-2026, figures vary by source — the typical home value sits around $3.2 million, while recent median sale prices have ranged from $3.6 million to $4.8 million depending on the reporting period. Pricing varies enormously by sub-area, from roughly $3.9 million in Trancas Canyon to over $10.8 million in Point Dume.

What types of homes are available?

Oceanfront estates in Point Dume, Malibu Colony, and Carbon Beach, canyon and hillside homes in Malibu Park and Trancas Canyon, condominiums offering more accessible pricing, and land parcels for custom construction or redevelopment.

What should buyers know before purchasing in Malibu in 2026?

With days on market extending to 90–175 days in many reports and sale-to-list ratios in the low-to-mid 90s, buyers have meaningfully more negotiating room than in recent cycles. Wildfire risk, insurance availability, and coastal bluff or slope stability should all be evaluated closely for any specific property before making an offer.

What are the schools like?

Malibu is served by the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District, with Malibu High School among the area's primary public options; several respected private schools are also accessible throughout the Westside.

How do residents commute?

Residents primarily use Pacific Coast Highway and Malibu Canyon Road to reach the 101 and 405 freeways, with Santa Monica and West Los Angeles employment centers roughly 30 to 45 minutes away under normal conditions.

What is the lifestyle like?

Malibu's 21 miles of Pacific coastline, Mediterranean climate, and canyon-carved privacy combine to create a genuinely singular lifestyle — world-class beaches, hiking in the Santa Monica Mountains, and a level of seclusion that few coastal markets anywhere in the country can replicate.



Overview for Malibu, CA

17,372 people live in Malibu, where the median age is 49 and the average individual income is $117,637. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

17,372

Total Population

49 years

Median Age

High

Population Density Population Density This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.

$117,637

Average individual Income

Around Malibu, CA

There's plenty to do around Malibu, including shopping, dining, nightlife, parks, and more. Data provided by Walk Score and Yelp.

1
Car-Dependent
Walking Score

Points of Interest

Explore popular things to do in the area, including Hughes Market, Malibu Organic Lemon Company, and Rancho Escondido.

Name Category Distance Reviews
Ratings by Yelp
Dining · $$ 0.75 miles 0 reviews 0/5 stars
Dining 0.75 miles 0 reviews 0/5 stars
Dining · $ 0.75 miles 0 reviews 0/5 stars
Dining 0.75 miles 6 reviews 5/5 stars
Active 0.75 miles 1 review 5/5 stars
Active 0.75 miles 28 reviews 5/5 stars

Demographics and Employment Data for Malibu, CA

Malibu has 6,119 households, with an average household size of 2. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. Here’s what the people living in Malibu do for work — and how long it takes them to get there. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. 17,372 people call Malibu home. The population density is 707 and the largest age group is Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

17,372

Total Population

High

Population Density Population Density This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.

49 years

Median Age

49 / 51%

Men vs Women

Population by Age Group

0-9:

0-9 Years

10-17:

10-17 Years

18-24:

18-24 Years

25-64:

25-64 Years

65-74:

65-74 Years

75+:

75+ Years

Education Level

  • Less Than 9th Grade
  • High School Degree
  • Associate Degree
  • Bachelor Degree
  • Graduate Degree
6,119

Total Households

2

Average Household Size

$117,637

Average individual Income

Households with Children

With Children:

Without Children:

Marital Status

Married
Single
Divorced
Separated

Blue vs White Collar Workers

Blue Collar:

White Collar:

Commute Time

0 to 14 Minutes
15 to 29 Minutes
30 to 59 Minutes
60+ Minutes

Schools in Malibu, CA

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Primary Schools ()
Middle Schools ()
High Schools ()
Mixed Schools ()
The following schools are within or nearby Malibu. The rating and statistics can serve as a starting point to make baseline comparisons on the right schools for your family. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Type
Name
Category
Grades
School rating

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