Calabasas is a great place to call home! Chumash Native Americans inhabited the area of Calabasas California for centuries. Spanish settlers arrived in 1770 and formed a settlement at the location. The word “Calabasas” is an alternative spelling of the Spanish word calabazas, which means wild squashes. A botanist named the settlement Calabasas in 1792.
The community was not incorporated as a city until 1991. Calabasas, California is best known for its celebrity residents and convenient location near national parks and mountains. The city is a nice place to live, with spacious homes and fun things to do. But before you start moving to Calabasas, you must learn more about living in Calabasas. Here’s what you should know about this incredible city.
Where Is Calabasas?
Where is Calabasas California, and what county is Calabasas CA in? Calabasas is in Los Angeles County, inside the Los Angeles metro area. Calabasas borders Los Angeles as well as Topanga, Cornell, Hidden Hills, and Agoura Hills. The northern part of the city is a well-developed residential community, while the southern part is undeveloped and mountainous, with only a few homes and businesses. The community lies between the Santa Monica and Santa Susana Mountains, but it does not border the Pacific Ocean. How far is Calabasas from LA? It’s 30 miles from Calabasas to Los Angeles.
The City of Calabasas runs six transit programs, including fixed bus routes and rides you can order from the city to specific destinations. The city also offers seasonal buses and trollies to Zuma Beach in Malibu, CA. US Route 101 runs through the community, providing access to western Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, and Ventura County and making moving to Calabasas convenient.
Calabasas Population and Demographics
Who lives in Calabasas? The population of Calabasas was 23,239 in 2020; the population grew by 0.8% between 2010 and 2020, and the population density was 1,695.4 people per square mile in 2020. Notable people from Calabasas California include Kim Kardashian, Jake Paul, and Kylie Jenner.
Calabasas demographics include:
- 50.9% female, 49.1% male
- Median age: 41.8
- Racial and ethnic composition: 76.7% White alone, 9.7% Asian alone, 9.5% Hispanic or Latino, 8.4% two or more races, 2.4% Black and African American alone, 0.5% American Indian and Alaska Native
- Median household income: $132,838 (roughly 1.5 times the state median)
- Educational attainment: 98.0% of residents older than 25 have graduated high school, 66.1% have a bachelor’s degree or higher
- Foreign-born population: 27.4%
Calabasas CA is a very safe community to live in. Here are the FBI crime statistics from 2020:
- Overall crime rate: 1,230 offenses per 100,000 people (52.3% lower than the state, 47.6% lower than the country)
- Violent crime rate: 163 offenses per 100,000 residents (63.1% lower than the state, 58.0% lower than the country)
- Property crime rate: 1,067 crimes per 100,000 people (50.1% lower than the state, 45.5% lower than the country)
Calabasas has a contract with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department for its law enforcement services. The department employs 17,926 employees, including 9,972 sworn deputies. The department maintains an office in downtown Calabasas.
Cost of Living in Calabasas
Calabasas is in the Los Angeles metro area, so you can use cost of living statistics for Los Angeles to determine the cost of living in Calabasas. The Los Angeles cost of living index is 149.3; items in Los Angeles cost 49.3% more than the national average. According to the Economic Policy Institute, a family of four would need to earn $102,226 a year to cover the cost of living in the LA metro area. Though Calabasas CA can be pricey, you can find a high-paying job in the city.
Calabasas real estate can be expensive. According to Redfin, the average sales price of Calabasas homes for sale is $1,950,000. According to RentCafe, the average rent of apartments in Calabasas is $2,873 a month.
Typical Calabasas* Living Expenses
- 12 regular eggs: $5.69
- 1 pound of chicken fillets: $6.09
- 1 pound of potatoes: $1.33
- 1 gallon of gasoline: $5.11
- Average Calabasas* utilities per month: $174.42
- 1 pair of jeans: $58.18
Source: Numbeo
*Statistics for Los Angeles
Calabasas Neighborhoods | Where to Live in Calabasas
Despite being a relatively small city, Calabasas has numerous neighborhoods to choose from. Here are the best places to live in Calabasas.
The Oaks | Spacious and luxurious estates in a celebrity-friendly neighborhood
The Oaks is the most famous neighborhood in Calabasas, as the Kardashians and Justin Bieber have bought The Oaks houses. The community has some of the most luxurious homes in the Los Angeles area. Most properties in The Oaks Calabasas contain at least five bedrooms and cover more than 7,000 square feet. They contain features like motor courts, wine cellars, and rooftop decks. All Calabasas homes in the Oaks cost at least $4 million, and you have to pay HOA fees for security and other perks.
Calabasas Highlands | Most affordable Calabasas neighborhood in a quiet area
Calabasas Highlands is in southern Calabasas near Red Rock Canyon Park. The neighborhood has a casual vibe and winding roads that provide quiet and tranquility away from the city center. If you’re interested in building your own real estate in Calabasas, you can purchase lots covering more than 7,000 square feet for less than $300,000. Most homes in the Highlands were built more than 100 years ago, so they have classic architectural features like brick walls and slanted roofs. Houses for sale in Calabasas Highlands have renovated features, cover more than 5,000 square feet, and cost less than $2.5 million.
Calabasas Weather and Climate
The city has a hot-summer Mediterranean climate with warm summers and cool and wet winters. August is the hottest month of the year, with an average temperature of 71 degrees and an average high of 82. December is the coolest month, with an average temperature of 53 degrees and an average low of 45.
Calabasas weather year-round is very sunny; at least 50% of days in each month are clear, mostly sunny, and partly cloudy. The community experiences roughly 28 days of precipitation every year, receiving an average of 13.5 inches of rain yearly. Despite the high temperatures, the weather in Calabasas CA is not muggy or humid.
August is the best month to visit Calabasas. It is the warmest and clearest month, and you can enjoy numerous affordable outdoor activities in the area during August.
Things to Do in Calabasas
You can find numerous unique and affordable things to do in Calabasas CA, including shopping. The Commons at Calabasas contains dozens of high-end stores and restaurants, including Barnes & Noble and Williams Sonoma Home. You can also visit Creekside Village, which has an Albertsons grocery store and several small shops.
Malibu Creek State Park is a free park with 15 miles of streamside walking trails that provide incredible views of woodlands, pools, and rock gorges. The park is also home to family-friendly fun runs, marathons, and 50k runs throughout the year.
1925 Las Virgenes Road, Calabasas, CA, 91302, 310-457-8144
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area contains over 500 miles of walking and hiking trails, including the Backbone Trail, which runs 67 miles. You can also enjoy horseback riding, mountain biking, and climbing at several kid-friendly locations in the park.
Off Crags Road, Calabasas, CA, 91302, 805-370-2301
Malibu Hindu Temple is a unique Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva and Venkateswara. The temple has religious and cultural events that are free and open to the public throughout the year in a tranquil and beautiful setting.
1600 Las Virgenes Canyon Road, Calabasas, CA, 91302, 818-518-4287
Additional things to do in Calabasas CA
The Community Services, Parks and Recreation Department of the City of Calabasas maintains public areas in the city. You can use this special events page to discover when special events, holiday parties, and fun runs will take place.
Restaurants in Calabasas
Los Angeles is well known for having a diverse cuisine, and Calabasas is no different. You can enjoy a wide range of foods and experiences while visiting Calabasas restaurants, including romantic eateries and spots for large parties.
King’s is one of the most prominent restaurants for seafood in Los Angeles, serving an incredible range of freshly-made dishes. The restaurant serves dozens of wines and beers by the glass and unique specialty cocktails with ingredients like grapefruit vodka.
4798 Commons Way, Calabasas, CA, 91302, 818-225-1979
Crossroads is a Mediterranean-inspired vegan restaurant in an upscale and comfortable setting. The restaurant offers five and seven-course tasting menus as well as a sizeable list of spirits, beers, and wines.
4776 Commons Way Suite A, Calabasas, CA, 91302, 747-230-4210
Sagebrush is a Mexican eatery well known for its vibrant and casual atmosphere and live musical performances. You and your kids can order tacos and burritos with lobster, wild mushrooms, and carnitas.
23527 Calabasas Road, Calabasas, CA, 91302, 818-222-6062
Jobs in Calabasas
Roughly 11,400 people have Calabasas jobs. The most popular industries in terms of jobs are professional services, health care and social assistance, and educational services. According to Payscale, the average base salary in Calabasas is $81,000, while the average hourly wage is $22.18.
Major employers in the city include Harbor Freight Tools, Las Virgenes Unified School District, and The Cheesecake Factory. You can find Calabasas jobs using Indeed, and you can apply for City of Calabasas jobs through the city government’s website.
Calabasas Schools
The Las Virgenes Unified School District (LVUSD) serves Calabasas students. 75% of students at Calabasas High School test at or above the proficiency level in reading, 15 percentage points higher than the state average. The school also has a graduation rate of 93%.
Private schools in Calabasas include Viewpoint School. Viewpoint is one of the largest private schools in California, with more than 1,000 enrolled students. It is best known for its athletics programs, including championship basketball teams.
Pepperdine University has a campus in Calabasas. US News and World Report ranks Pepperdine in the top 100 best national universities and the top 50 best value schools. The college is best known for its business and law programs.
Calabasas Library is the main library in the city. You can enjoy thousands of books as well as live musical performances, book clubs, and cultural events throughout the year.
Calabasas Statistics and Information
- County: Los Angeles
- Calabasas area: 13.74 square miles
- Calabasas zip code: 91301, 91302
- Calabasas area code: 747, 818
- Calabasas elevation: 928 feet
- Calabasas time zone: Pacific Standard Time (PST)
- Closest airport to Calabasas: Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), 31 miles from Calabasas
Calabasas Map
You can find more exciting things to do in Calabasas CA, beautiful green spaces, and luxury homes for sale with this map of Calabasas.
Show less
Living in Calabasas is like living in the lap of luxury! You can enjoy safe streets, comfortable weather, and affordable attractions while living in the city. But you’ll want to figure out moving to Calabasas first. Movegreen’s team of Calabasas movers has won more than 30 awards for customer service. Get a free Calabasas moving quote by calling 866-684-7336.
