Last updated
Average Rent in San Rafael, CA & Rent Trends
Rent prices and market trends across 9 apartment communities in San Rafael, CA. Updated daily.
Market Average
$3,407/mo
▼ 4.1% from last month
Lowest Available
$2,350/mo
cheapest unit on market
Communities
9
tracked daily
Units Listed
56
available now
Rent Watch: cuts and increases
Open Rent Watch →See current options while we confirm new price comparisons. Filter by bedrooms and budget, then inspect each building’s history.
Rent by Neighborhood in San Rafael, CA
Compare average rent across San Rafael, CA neighborhoods. Click any area to see detailed trends.
| Neighborhood | Avg Rent | 30d Change | From | Properties | Units |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Rafael 94903 | $3,438 | ▲ $220 | $2,400 | 4 | 29 |
| San Rafael 94901 | $3,374 | ▼ $133 | $2,350 | 5 | 27 |
Is Rent Going Up or Down in San Rafael, CA?
As of October 2026, the average rent in San Rafael, CA is $3,407 per month across 9 apartment communities and 56 available units. Rents have decreased $144 (4.1%) over the past month.
The most affordable option is 215 BAYVIEW APARTMENTS starting at $2,350/mo. By unit type, a studio averages $2,479/mo, a 1-bedroom averages $2,919/mo, a 2-bedroom averages $3,849/mo, a 3-bedroom averages $4,188/mo.
Prices range from $2,350 to $5,995 per month. The most common price point is the $3,600 range, where 10 units are currently listed.
San Rafael, CA Rent Price History
View as table
| Month | Avg Rent | Change | Properties |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 2026 | $3,341 | - | 9 |
| August 2026 | $3,325 | -$16 | 9 |
| September 2026 | $3,392 | +$67 | 9 |
| October 2026 | $3,494 | +$102 | 8 |
The trend line and monthly averages track each building's average listed price, recorded daily with outliers trimmed. The current month is a month-to-date figure, so it can sit above or below today's live market average shown at the top of this page.
Average Rent by Bedroom
Rent Price Distribution
Rent by Bedroom Type in San Rafael, CA
Rent Prices by Apartment in San Rafael, CA
| Property | Starting at | Average | Units | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 215 BAYVIEW APARTMENTS | $2,350/mo | $2,650/mo | 4 | 4.3 |
| Rafael Town Center Apartments | $2,382/mo | $2,726/mo | 2 | 4.7 |
| Highlands of Marin | $2,400/mo | $3,465/mo | 6 | 4.1 |
| One55 Lofts | $2,449/mo | $3,177/mo | 11 | 3.6 |
| View at Marin | $2,512/mo | $2,988/mo | 11 | 4.4 |
| Deer Valley Apartments | $2,847/mo | $3,390/mo | 9 | 3.7 |
| Second and B Street Apartments | $2,999/mo | $4,121/mo | 7 | 4.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions About Rent in San Rafael, CA
What is the average rent in San Rafael, CA?
Is rent going up or down in San Rafael, CA?
What is the cheapest apartment in San Rafael, CA?
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in San Rafael, CA?
How many apartments are available in San Rafael, CA?
What salary do I need to live comfortably in San Rafael, CA?
Built on the 25 to 30 percent rent-to-income guideline used by most landlords and credit-scoring models.
Minimum to afford average rent
$136,000/year
Based on the 30 percent rule, using our tracked average rent of $3,407/mo.
Comfortable income
$164,000/year
Based on the 25 percent rule, leaving more room for savings, transport, and groceries.
To afford the cheapest tracked apartment ($2,350/mo), you need to earn at least $94,000/year.
Median household income in San Rafael, CA is $109,317 , about 33% below the comfortable-living threshold.
Cost of living in San Rafael, CA
Overall prices in San Rafael, CA runs above the national average by about 18% (BEA Regional Price Parity index 117.6, where 100 equals the U.S. average). The breakdown below estimates monthly costs for a single adult, using national consumer-spending baselines from the Bureau of Labor Statistics scaled by San Rafael, CA's regional price parities.
| Category | Monthly estimate |
|---|---|
| Rent (market average) | $3,407 |
| Utilities | $861 |
| Groceries | $622 |
| Transportation | $2,051 |
| Healthcare | $1,001 |
| Other goods and services | $1,601 |
| Estimated total | $9,543/mo |
Population
60,604
Median household income
$109,317
Census median rent
$2,346/mo
Census rent burden
35.2%
Median age
43.5
Mean commute
27 min
Methodology
Rent data
Sourced directly from each tracked apartment community and refreshed every 24 hours. Every listed unit price on this page is real and listed today.
Cost of living
Estimates combine national consumer-spending baselines from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (Consumer Expenditure Survey) with the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities (MARPP dataset). Both are peer-reviewed federal data releases published annually.
Salary to live comfortably
Applies the standard 25 to 30 percent rent-to-income rule on top of the listed rent. This is the same affordability guideline used by most landlords and credit-scoring models.
Demographic figures
Median household income, population, median age, commute time, Census median rent, and rent as percentage of income come from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey 5-year estimates, the most recent complete release.
Cost of living and demographic figures were last published in 2023.
Google Search Trends for San Rafael, CA Apartments
Search interest for apartments in this area over the past 12 months.
Search Interest Over Time
Explore San Rafael, CA Apartments
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