Airbnb Market Analytics, Statistics and Data in Malibu, California, United States
Last updated: 2025-01-31
Looking to make more money with hosting or rental arbitraging Airbnbs, short-term rentals, vacation rentals in Malibu? AirROI have just the data insights! Over the last twelve months from February 2024 to January 2025, we've uncovered key trends and opportunities that successful hosts are leveraging in Malibu:
How much do Airbnb hosts make on average per month in Malibu?
The short-term rental market in Malibu shows distinct revenue patterns across different property tiers. Our analysis reveals that successful properties combine strategic pricing with quality management to maximize earnings potential. Market data demonstrates clear revenue differentiation among properties:
- Typical properties (median) earn $12,061 per month
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) make $20,809 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) achieve $33,454+ monthly
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) typically earn around $6,211
Revenue Variations by Month
Occupancy Rates Throughout the Year in Malibu
The market in Malibu shows distinct occupancy patterns influenced by seasonal trends and local dynamics. Properties that maintain high guest satisfaction scores and implement strategic pricing consistently achieve stronger occupancy rates. Current market data shows:
- Typical properties (median) maintain 45% occupancy rates
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) achieve 65% or higher
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) reach 80%+occupancy
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) average around 23%
Occupancy Variations by Month
Average Daily Rates Seasonal Trends in Malibu
Daily rates in Malibu vary based on seasonality, property quality, and market dynamics. Properties that effectively balance competitive pricing with strong amenities typically command higher rates. Market analysis shows the following rate structure:
- Typical properties (median) generate $927 per night
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) secure $1,745 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) pull in $2,838+ per night
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) earn around $535
Daily Rate Variations by Month
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Seasonality patterns in Malibu
Peak Season (July, August, June)
- Revenue peaks at $23168.83 per month
- Occupancy rates reach 57.83%
- Daily rates average $1392.92
Shoulder Season
- Revenue averages $15863.34 per month
- Occupancy maintains 45.13%
- Daily rates hold at $1268.86
Low Season (September, December, January)
- Revenue drops to $8425.48 per month
- Occupancy decreases to 26.82%
- Daily rates adjust to $1151.47
Is it still profitable to do Airbnb in Malibu in 2025?
Yes! Malibu demonstrates highly seasonal trends requiring strategic adaptation, featuring a healthy occupancy rate of 45% and strong monthly revenue averaging $15863 and With 351 active listings, the market shows established demand while maintaining room for growth. There's also room for profit through rental arbitrage strategies, if you can identify competitively priced properties. To maximize your return on investment, consider employing the following strategies:
Peak Season Strategy
- Implement premium seasonal pricing strategies
- Set longer minimum stay requirements during high-demand periods
- Enforce stricter cancellation policies
Shoulder Season Strategy
- Maintain competitive market-based pricing
- Offer moderate-length stay incentives
- Target a mix of leisure and business travelers with flexible booking terms
- Focus on weekend getaway packages and mid-week business traveler promotions
Low Season Strategy
- Adjust pricing to remain competitive in the market
- Target different guest segments (business travelers, long-term stays, holiday visitors, event attendees, remote workers)
- Create targeted promotional campaigns to drive occupancy
Top Places to Start Airbnb in Malibu
| Area | Why Choose This Area | Key Attractions |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon Beach | Known as Billionaire's Beach, this area is famous for its stunning oceanfront properties and high-profile celebrity residents. It's a prime location for luxury travelers seeking privacy and breathtaking views. | Malibu Pier, Gelson's Market, Nobu Malibu, Surfrider Beach, Malibu Beach Park |
| Malibu Colony | A gated community popular with celebrities, offering luxury villas and beach access. Ideal for affluent guests looking for exclusivity and comfort. | Malibu Colony Beach, Malibu Lagoon State Beach, Adamson House, Legacy Park, Malibu Certified Farmers Market |
| Point Dume | A beautiful coastal area known for its scenic cliffs and natural beauty. Attracts visitors who enjoy outdoor activities and beach access. | Point Dume State Beach, Dume Cove Beach, Westward Beach, Paradise Cove, Point Dume Marine Nature Preserve |
| Zuma Beach | One of the largest and most popular beaches in Malibu, featuring wide sandy areas and ample parking. A favorite among families and beachgoers. | Zuma Beach, Point Dume State Beach, Geoffrey's Malibu, Zuma Beach Park, Malibu Surf Shack |
| Broad Beach | A serene beach area known for its expansive sandy shoreline and luxurious properties. Popular with families and those seeking a quiet getaway. | Broad Beach, Village Beach, Trancas Canyon Park, Malibu Country Mart, Malibu Seafood Market |
| Malibu Bluffs Park | A coastal park offering stunning ocean views, walking trails, and picnic areas. Great for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. | Malibu Bluffs Park, Malibu Pier, Malibu Lagoon State Beach, Surf Ranch Malibu, Malibu Arts Festival |
| Palisades Beach Road | A scenic road lined with beautiful beachfront homes, this area is perfect for those wanting to enjoy the Malibu beach lifestyle. | Palisades Beach, Surfrider Beach, Malibu Farm Pier Cafe, Malibu Towne Plaza, The Malibu Pier |
| Sweetwater Mesa | A more secluded and exclusive area with expansive properties and ocean views, ideal for privacy-seeking travelers. | Sweetwater Beach, Malibu Canyon State Park, Malibu Equestrian Park, El Matador State Beach, Kanan Dume Road |
Do you need a license for Airbnb in Malibu?
Yes, Malibu requires a license for operating an Airbnb. Current market data shows 76% of active listings maintain proper licensing, confirming this requirement. Getting licensed is an essential first step before listing your property.
Top Performing Airbnb Properties in Malibu
Malibu Dunes by Fieldtrip | Private Beach Backyard
Entire Place • 7 bedrooms
Epic Modern Malibu Beach House
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
A Malibu Beach Oasis
Entire Place • 6 bedrooms
Beachfront- Centrally Located off PCH on Dry Beach
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
Vue de Reves by Stay Awhile Villas
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
Carbon Beach Club by Stay Awhile Villas
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
Top Performing Professional Hosts in Malibu
| Host Name | Properties | Grossing Revenue | Stay Reviews | Avg Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stay Awhile | 41 | $9,601,111 | 2187 | 4.35/5.0 |
| Fieldtrip | 8 | $2,121,591 | 367 | 4.79/5.0 |
| The Malibu Suites | 12 | $1,941,276 | 4410 | 4.82/5.0 |
| Sara | 5 | $1,587,851 | 1002 | 4.97/5.0 |
| Marc | 8 | $1,459,369 | 1195 | 4.88/5.0 |
| Julian | 6 | $1,333,488 | 122 | 4.13/5.0 |
| Martin | 4 | $1,089,239 | 23 | 3.66/5.0 |
| Oraklus | 6 | $908,565 | 137 | 4.10/5.0 |
| Bess | 9 | $768,679 | 1257 | 4.82/5.0 |
| David | 3 | $750,420 | 789 | 4.81/5.0 |
Additional analytics on vacation rental, real estate, short term rental data in Malibu
AirROI also have other key metrics and comprehensive data for your vacation rental, real estate needs. Go explore the advanced metrics that can help you make informed decisions:
Room Type Distribution
Property Type Distribution
Key Insights
- Market dominated by entire home listings (99.1%), with house and apartment & condo properties comprising 92.3% of inventory
- Untapped potential in boutique & hotels, others, unique stays, outdoor & mobile segments (7.7% combined)
Room Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 351 properties in Malibu shows that 1 bedroom properties are most prevalent, making up 25.6% of the market. The market tends to favor larger properties, with 1 bedroom and 3 bedrooms together representing 48.1% of all listings.
Key Insights
- Most common: 1 bedroom (25.6%)
- Least common: 5+ bedrooms (9.1%)
- Market concentration: 48.1% in top 2 sizes
- Market skew: Favors larger properties
Guest Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 351 properties in Malibu reveals that 8+ guests properties dominate the market, representing 40.2% of all listings. The average property accommodates 5.7 guests, with a clear trend towards larger guest capacities. Properties accommodating 8+ guests and 4 guests make up 58.7% of the market.
Key Insights
- Most common capacity: 8+ guests (40.2% of market)
- Least common capacity: 1 guest (0.3% of market)
- Average guest capacity: 5.7 guests per property
- Market concentration: 58.7% in top 2 capacity sizes
- Market segmentation: Predominantly larger guest capacities
Booking and Availability Patterns
Available Days Distribution
Booked Days Distribution
Among 351 properties in Malibu, the most common availability pattern is 181-270 days (33% of properties). For actual bookings, properties most frequently secure bookings for 91-180 days (33% of properties).
Key Insights
- Most common availability window: 181-270 days (33%)
- Most common booking duration: 91-180 days (33%)
- Properties with high availability (180+ days): 66.1%
- Properties with long-term bookings (180+ days): 35.3%
Minimum Stay Distributions
1 Night
48 listings
14.9% of total
2 Nights
99 listings
30.7% of total
3 Nights
81 listings
25.1% of total
4-6 Nights
30 listings
9.3% of total
7-29 Nights
11 listings
3.4% of total
30+ Nights
54 listings
16.7% of total
Key Insights
- Short stays (1-2 nights) dominate the market at 45.6%
- Mid-length stays (4-6 nights) represent 9.3% of listings
- Monthly+ stays (16.7%) suggest a stable extended-stay market
- High market flexibility with 70.7% accepting 3 nights or less
Recommendations
- Set minimum stays between 2-3 nights to align with market standards
- Adjust minimum stays seasonally based on demand patterns
- Consider monthly stay discounts to capture the growing extended-stay market
- Implement different minimum stays for weekends vs. weekdays
Cancellation Policy Distribution
Super Strict 30 Days
9 listings
3% of total
Super Strict 60 Days
5 listings
1.6% of total
Flexible
24 listings
7.9% of total
Moderate
32 listings
10.5% of total
Firm
65 listings
21.3% of total
Strict
170 listings
55.7% of total
Key Insights
- Strict is the preferred policy at 55.7% of listings
- Stricter policies (Firm & Strict) dominate at 77.0% of the market
- Strong market consensus around Strict policies
- Super Strict 60 Days policies are least common at 1.6% of listings
Recommendations
- The market supports stricter policies, with 77.0% using Firm or Strict terms
- Strong market preference for Strict policies suggests this should be your baseline
Booking Lead Time Trends
Key Insights
- Peak booking lead times occur in Jul, Aug, Apr, averaging 52 days
- Shortest booking windows are in Oct, Feb, Jan, averaging 34 days
- Summer shows the longest average booking window at 51 days, while Winter has the shortest at 35 days
Recommendations
- Implement dynamic pricing strategies for Summer bookings at least 51 days in advance
- Consider early bird discounts during Winter to encourage longer lead times
- Focus on last-minute booking promotions during Oct-Jan when lead times are shortest
Popular Airbnb Amenities in Malibu
Below is the distribution of amenities across listings in Malibu:
Traveler Demographics
Key Insights
- Domestic travelers make up 89.7% of total guests, indicating a dominant local market share.
- Primary international markets: Canada (2.3%) and United Kingdom (2.3%)
- English is the top language at 73.9%, followed by Spanish (15%)
- Notable demographic segment in <=1950s (Pre-1950s (Silent Gen)) at 3.2%
Recommendations
- Target marketing campaigns for Los Angeles and New York markets
- Develop localized content for Canada and United Kingdom
- Prioritize English and Spanish language support
- Tailor experiences for Pre-1950s (Silent Gen) while maintaining broad age appeal
- Implement seasonal promotions aligned with key market travel patterns
Nearby Markets
Explore short-term rental performance in markets surrounding Malibu. These nearby markets offer diverse opportunities for property investors and hosts:
| Market | Properties | Monthly Revenue | Daily Rate | Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montecito | 135 | $9,116 | $825.14 | 48% |
| Unincorporated Santa Monica Mountains | 154 | $8,301 | $656.43 | 48% |
| Newport Beach | 1,268 | $7,104 | $643.67 | 46% |
| Manhattan Beach | 232 | $7,054 | $486.64 | 52% |
| Avalon | 218 | $6,867 | $634.60 | 39% |
| Summerland | 72 | $6,573 | $465.83 | 48% |
| Toro Canyon | 38 | $6,413 | $536.84 | 41% |
| Rancho Santa Fe | 28 | $6,225 | $732.90 | 41% |
| Santa Margarita Ranchos | 17 | $6,083 | $483.27 | 37% |
| Universal City | 13 | $6,067 | $408.16 | 44% |
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