Los Altos, CA vs Malibu, CA

Los Altos, CA and Malibu, CA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.2% difference in their overall index. Los Altos scores 310 while Malibu scores 310 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Los Altos is $3,501/month compared to $3,501/month in Malibu — a 0% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Malibu is more affordable at $2,000,001 median vs $2,000,001.

Median household income in Los Altos is $250,001 compared to $192,159 in Malibu (+30.1%). Los Altos offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Los Altos spend roughly 16.8% of their income on rent, less than the 21.9% in Malibu.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (59.9°F vs 62.8°F). Malibu receives more rainfall at 13.5" per year compared to 13.5" in Los Altos.