Los Altos, CA vs Malibu, CA: Cost of Living

Which city costs less?

Malibu, CA has a modeled overall cost index 8.2% lower than Los Altos, CA.

Los Altos, CA · modeled 2BR rent
$4,265 / month
Malibu, CA · modeled 2BR rent
$3,910 / month

These are saved estimates, not current rental listings. Some cities use adjusted regional data. Your household budget can differ from the overall index. Sources and assumptions

Adjust your income and compare the budget ↓
Tap to swap

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Compare Los Altos, CA and Malibu, CA using saved regional data and explicit budgeting assumptions. Rent estimates are not live listings. Change the salary below, then check the source notes before applying a result to your household.

Saved regional estimates · Sources and assumptions

$
Numbers update automatically as you type

Estimated savings: $276/month in Malibu, CA

$150,000 in your current city has a modeled equivalent of $146,690 in Malibu, CA

Regional cost estimates: Los Altos, CA uses Fremont, CA. Malibu, CA uses Los Angeles, CA. Available city ZIP rent estimates are shown separately.
Overall Cost
↓ 8.2%
Less expensive
Monthly Impact
$276
Savings
Annual Impact
$3.3K
Per year

Assumes 60% of current gross income goes to living costs. The headline uses the category budget below; taxes, moving costs and savings goals are excluded.

Los Altos, CA

Population:30K
Cost Index:
164.4
100 = national average
Typical Home:$4.69M

Malibu, CA

Population:10K
Cost Index:
151.0
100 = national average
Typical Home:$3.13M

Planning the move to Malibu?

Organize packing, address changes, and moving-day tasks with a free checklist. Your progress saves in this browser. No account needed.

Plan my move with the free checklist

Los Altos, CA

The Golden State

30K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in California, this city has a population of 30K residents.

Malibu, CA

The Golden State

10K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in California, this city has a population of 10K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Estimated monthly spending: Los Altos, CA vs Malibu, CA

Assumes 60% of your current gross income is spent on these categories. The headline and totals use this same budget. Rent estimates below are separate reference data. Rounded amounts may differ by $1.

Transportation
↑ 39.8%
Los Altos, CA
$847
Malibu, CA
$1,184
Difference
$337
more
Housing
↓ 7.6%
Los Altos, CA
$4,139
Malibu, CA
$3,826
Difference
$313
less
Other
↓ 13.5%
Los Altos, CA
$1,098
Malibu, CA
$950
Difference
$149
less
Healthcare
↓ 25.1%
Los Altos, CA
$435
Malibu, CA
$326
Difference
$109
less
Groceries
↓ 12.1%
Los Altos, CA
$695
Malibu, CA
$611
Difference
$83.78
less
All Utilities
↑ 14.6%
Los Altos, CA
$286
Malibu, CA
$328
Difference
$41.64
more

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio
From$3,210
To$2,800
↓ $410
1 Bed
From$3,625
To$3,140
↓ $485
2 Bed
From$4,265
To$3,910
↓ $355
3 Bed
From$5,620
To$4,970
↓ $650
Los Altos, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $3,540–$3,710/mo

Malibu, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $3,140–$3,140/mo

💡 Note: HUD Fair Market Rents estimate 40th-percentile gross rents, including most tenant-paid utilities. City ZIP summaries are medians of those estimates, not market median rents. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$7,500
Monthly in Los Altos, CA
$7,224
Monthly in Malibu, CA
$276
Difference

Home Values

Los Altos
Malibu
$4.69M
Median Value
$3.13M
↑ +3.3%
YoY Change
↓ -3%
↑ +35.2%
5-Year Change
↑ +22.6%
$4.48M - $4.90M
Price Range
$3.13M

Homes in Malibu are 33% less expensive than Los Altos

Calculate payment - Los AltosCalculate payment - Malibu

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings
→ $0
Same taxes
Monthly Difference
$0
Same take-home
Effective Rate Diff
0.0%
Rate difference

Los Altos, CA

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
California State Tax
Effective: 7.1%
$10.6K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 31.8%
$47.6K
Take-Home Pay
$8,530/month
$102.4K

Malibu, CA

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
California State Tax
Effective: 7.1%
$10.6K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 31.8%
$47.6K
Take-Home Pay
$8,530/month
$102.4K

Additional Tax Information

Los Altos, CA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:10.5%
Property Tax:0.8%

Malibu, CA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:10.5%
Property Tax:0.8%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.

Environment

Los Altos
Malibu
49 Good
Air Quality
80 Moderate
53%
Good Air Days
10.4%
100 Very High
Climate Risk
100 Very High
🔥🌊🌅
Top Hazards
🔥🌊🌅
▲+2.2°F
2050 Outlook
▲+2.6°F
5 days
Heat Days >95°F
17 days
▲+2.2°F
2050 Outlook
▲+2.6°F
5 days
Heat Days >95°F
17 days

Before moving from Los Altos, CA to Malibu, CA

Use this comparison to shortlist a move, then check the costs that depend on your household.

  1. Compare actual homes. Get current quotes in Malibu, CA for the same bedroom count and included utilities as your home in Los Altos, CA. Add parking, deposits, insurance and any overlapping leases. The rent estimates above are a starting point, not available listings.
  2. Confirm your income. Check your expected pay with your employer, including any location adjustment. Use “Different salary at destination?” above to compare two incomes. The budget model excludes taxes and one-time moving costs; it is not a take-home-pay calculation.
  3. Price your daily routine. Check the commute from a specific address to work, school or childcare. Add household expenses missing from this model, such as childcare, debt payments and medical needs. Verify local services before signing a lease.
  4. Plan the transition. Get moving quotes and budget for travel, setup costs and time off. Open your Los Altos to Malibu moving checklist to organize the tasks and timing.

Still choosing a destination? Explore cities similar to Malibu, CA by cost, housing, population and region.

Frequently Asked Questions: Los Altos, CA vs Malibu, CA

How do the cost estimates for Los Altos, CA and Malibu, CA compare?

Malibu, CA has a modeled overall cost index 8.2% lower than Los Altos, CA. This is a broad model comparison, not a survey of today's prices or a forecast of your household spending. Some cities use adjusted regional fallback data.

What does the equivalent salary mean?

At a $150,000 salary in Los Altos, CA, the model estimates $146,690 in Malibu, CA. It allocates 60% of gross income to the origin city’s category budget and applies each destination category’s relative cost. The equivalent salary adds the total category difference to your income. The monthly difference is the same category difference divided by 12; it is not take-home pay or guaranteed savings. Household size, childcare and your actual lease are not inputs to this calculation.

What rent estimates are available for Los Altos, CA and Malibu, CA?

The modeled two-bedroom rents are $4,265/month in Los Altos, CA and $3,910/month in Malibu, CA. Where available, the source is a city median of HUD FY2026 ZIP-level estimates; otherwise a saved metro table is used. City adjustments may also apply. These are not asking rents or available listings. Compare actual properties with the same bedroom count and included utilities.

How should I use this comparison before moving?

Use it to shortlist locations, then replace modeled costs with a current housing quote, employer-confirmed income, commute costs, insurance and your household's other expenses. Add one-time moving costs separately. Source years differ and the saved datasets are not a live price feed. Read the methodology for the formulas and fallback rules.

Where your money goes further

Cities cheaper than Los Altos, CA on a $150.0K salary

1.St. Louis, MO
Save $3,277/mo
2.Indianapolis, IN
Save $3,260/mo
3.Pittsburgh, PA
Save $3,158/mo
4.San Antonio, TX
Save $3,111/mo
5.Columbus, OH
Save $3,081/mo

Similar cost to Malibu, CA

Other cities in a similar price range

Seattle, WAPortland, ORSan Diego, CA

Want to compare different cities?

New Comparison