Are you thinking about moving to Malibu? Home to A-list celebrities and billionaires, Malibu is mainly known for its exclusivity and beauty. Homes in Malibu are worth millions due to their amazing beachfront views, stunning architecture and safe neighborhoods. If you want to learn more about the best reasons to move to Malibu, from its demographics, to the cost of living and even the school systems, keep reading, because this guide has got you covered.

Fun Facts About Malibu

The City of Malibu has a long history, dating back to Chumash Native Americans, who settled here back in 2,500 BCE (a REALLY long time ago). Strangely, Malibu was only officially incorporated in 1991, making this coastal city both young and old at the same time. Like many other areas in and near Los Angeles, Malibu has a nickname: surfers and locals simply refer to this part of the coast as “The ‘Bu.”

Malibu is known for its beaches, and signs leading to the city boast “27 Miles of Scenic Beauty.” Malibu has also made its way into American popular culture, not only because of its celebrity residents, but also because of its numerous appearances in film and TV. Malibu has been used as a filming location in everything from The Planet of the Apes to Nickelodeon’s hit TV show from the 2000’s Zoey 101. It’s also a popular spot for filming music videos, such as those by Mariah Carey, Shania Twain and Britney Spears.

Malibu’s Sunny Weather

If you love sunny weather, moving to Malibu might be the perfect choice for you. Malibu gets an average of 281 sunny days per year, which is significantly above the national average. The average temperature in Malibu only ever goes as low as 49 degrees, with average daily highs in the mid 70’s during the summer. Plus, Malibu gets less than average rainfall, and almost no snow. Talk about perfect beach weather, year round!

Malibu Demographics: Who Lives in Malibu

Wondering how many people live in Malibu? The city has a population os 12,853 people. Most of the residents are White; just 2% of the population is Black, while 3.7% are Asian and 5% identify as multiracial. About 7.5% of residents are Hispanic or Latinx. English is the most common language spoken in the area, though about 3% of people here speak Spanish. Folks living in Malibu are also well-educated. Almost everyone here has completed high school, and 70% went on to complete an Associates Degree. About 61% of residents have a Bachelor’s Degree.

Only 46% of people living in Malibu were born in the state of California. Another 36% were born elsewhere in the United States, and 17% of the people here were born in other countries around the world. Malibu’s population is also diverse when it comes to religion. 47% of people in Malibu are secular, or don’t choose to follow an established religion. Of the 53% that are religious, 37% are Catholic, 1% are Jewish, 1% are Hindu, and less than 1% are Muslim.

Working in Malibu

Wondering what kind of jobs there are in Malibu? The answer is: all kinds! The median household income in Malibu is $116,904, which is more than double the American median overall. The top industries in Malibu are Professional, Scientific and Tech Services, Information services and Healthcare. Unsurprisingly, jobs in the Arts & Recreation fields are some of the most popular occupations in Malibu; other top occupations are in Management and Sales positions. If you’re looking for work in Malibu, remember to consider commute time; for example, getting to LA from Malibu can take more than an hour without bad traffic.
What are Schools in Malibu Like?

Are you moving to Malibu with your family, or thinking about starting a family in Malibu? You’re in luck! There are 16 schools in Malibu itself, including 5 different high schools. The main public school in Malibu is Malibu High School, which is part of the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District, and is located in the northwestern part of Malibu. Malibu High School has a 9/10 rating from GreatSchools.org, and caters to over 1,100 students. MHS is a highly renowned school, whose students consistently perform well on the SATs and ACTs; the school has also been included in Newsweek’s Top 1200 Schools in America (it was ranked #184).

How Much Does it Cost to Live in Malibu?

The cost of living in Malibu is triple the national average, so folks considering moving to Malibu should consider whether they can afford this affluent area. The median property value in Malibu is $1.8 Million; in fact, more than 68% of homes in Malibu are worth over $1 Millions. It’s rare to find a house in Malibu that’s selling for less than $500,000, and rent is similarly pricey, with a median monthly rent of $2,679 in Malibu.

After housing, the most expensive aspect of living in Malibu is transportation, which costs 26% more than the national average, but just 1% more than the California average. Unlike housing and transportation, Healthcare in Malibu is reasonably priced, with the same average cost as other areas of California. Goods and services, groceries, and utilities in Malibu actually cost less than the California average, though all are still higher when compared to national costs of living.

The Best Malibu Neighborhoods

Wondering where the best Malibu neighborhoods are? Malibu is split into three main, large neighborhoods- West Malibu, Central Malibu and Las Flores- which are then divided into dozens of smaller communities. Here are a few of our favorite neighborhoods in Malibu:

• Malibu Colony: This Malibu neighborhood was one of the first beaches in Malibu to be developed, and offers a private, safe Malibu neighborhood complete with a guarded, gated entrance. According to Investopedia, the median home value in Malibu Colony is $13 Million, but that’s price to have neighbors like Tom Hanks! That makes Malibu Colony the most expensive neighborhood, not only in Malibu, but in all of LA.
• Point Dume: Another expensive Malibu Neighborhood Point Dume offers some of the most exclusive housing in the area, with a median home sales price of $3.2 Million. Point Dume has its own elementary school and shopping centers, plus private beach access for residents.
• Carbon Mesa: This top Malibu neighborhood lies to the east, only slightly further inland than the rest of the beachfront city. It’s location on the hillside gives Carbon Cove a unique feel, as does its stunningly designed homes. Houses in Carbon Mesa are spaced apart to give residents more privacy, so if you want a home with extra room, we suggest looking at this neighborhood!

Things to do in Malibu

If you’re considering moving to Malibu, we hope you like beaches, because you’ll have access to some of the most beautiful beaches along the West Coast! That means that beach activities, including sunbathing, swimming, surfing, and beach volleyball are among the residents’ favorite things to do in Malibu. Another fun thing to do in Malibu is take a hike! Just behind the city, you’ll find the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. The Santa Monica Mountains have more than 500 miles of trails for you to explore, ranging from easy walks to challenging hikes.

Of course, people living in Malibu are also close to Los Angeles, which means residents here have easy access to tons of fun things to do in Los Angeles. Wondering how to spend a day in the city? Check out our guide to the Best 5 Things to do in Los Angeles, as well as our post on the Top Things to do in Los Angeles with Kids!

Moving to Malibu

Moving to Malibu might not be for everyone, but if you can afford the expensive housing, and want to live near some of California’s top beaches, this city might just be the perfect place to call home. With incredible amenities, fantastic weather, and lots of opportunities for students and professionals, Malibu has something to offer everyone.

So, is a close by move to Malibu right for you? If you have more questions about living in Malibu, or want help with your move, get in touch with us anytime. We want to help make your moving experience easy, so you can focus on making the most of this gorgeous coastal city.