100 Best Apartments in San Rafael, CA (with reviews)

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Popular searches Average rent Renters guide Demographics

Apartments in Alameda $2,915
Apartments in Albany $2,292
Apartments in American Canyon $2,807
Apartments in Belvedere Tiburon $5,052
Apartments in Benicia $2,389
Apartments in Berkeley $3,299
Apartments in Daly City $2,446
Apartments in El Cerrito $2,658
Apartments in El Sobrante $2,567
Apartments in Emeryville $2,895
Apartments in Greenbrae $2,948
Apartments in Hercules $3,009
Apartments in Lafayette $2,979
Apartments in Martinez $2,286
Apartments in Mill Valley $3,168
Apartments in Novato $2,676
Apartments in Oakland $2,581
Apartments in Petaluma $2,811
Apartments in Pinole $2,249
Apartments in Richmond $2,647
Apartments in Rohnert Park $2,332
Apartments in San Anselmo $3,205
Apartments in San Francisco $3,313
Apartments in San Pablo $2,341
Apartments in Sausalito $3,477
Apartments in Sonoma $2,530
Apartments in South San Francisco $3,200
Apartments in Vallejo $2,103

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Average rent in San Rafael, CA

$2,826/mo San Rafael, CA average rental price, October 2024

The average monthly rent of apartments in San Rafael, CA is $2,826.

San Rafael, CA apartment rent ranges

San Rafael, CA rent trends

Check out the average rent prices in San Rafael by neighborhood.

Compared to the national average rent of $1,748, the average rent in San Rafael, CA is $2,826.

Getting around in San Rafael, CA

32 /100

Car-Dependent

40 /100

Some Transit

30 /100

Somewhat Bikeable

Walk Score®: 32, Transit Score®: 40, Bike Score®: 30

Frequently asked questions

When were prices and availability in San Rafael, CA last updated?

Prices and availability in San Rafael, CA were last updated on 8 Dec 2024.

What are the best apartments in San Rafael, CA?

The best apartments in San Rafael, CA are: Second & B Street, Rafael Town Center Apartments, View At Marin, Rafael Town Center and Casa Vista Apartments.

What is the average rent in San Rafael, CA?

The average rent in San Rafael, CA is $2,826. Start your search for apartments in San Rafael, CA now.

What is the price range for a studio apartment in San Rafael, CA?

The price range for a studio apartment in San Rafael, CA is between $1,950 and $4,546. View all studio apartments in San Rafael, CA.

What is the price range for a 1-bedroom apartment in San Rafael, CA?

The price range for a 1-bedroom apartment in San Rafael, CA is between $919 and $4,038. Browse all available 1-bedroom apartments in San Rafael, CA now.

What is the price range for a 2-bedroom apartment in San Rafael, CA?

The price range for a 2-bedroom apartment in San Rafael, CA is between $1,667 and $4,546. Browse and find a 2-bedroom apartment in San Rafael, CA.

What is the price range for a 3-bedroom apartment in San Rafael, CA?

The price range for a 3-bedroom apartment in San Rafael, CA is between $500 and $4,137. Browse all available 3-bedroom apartments in San Rafael, CA.

What type of rental buildings are in San Rafael, CA?

In San Rafael, 48% of the residents are renting compared to 52% owning a home, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Large-scale apartment buildings with more than 50 units represent 16% of San Rafael’s rentals, 69% are small-scale complexes with under 50 units, and 15% are single-family rentals.

What do typical apartment communities look like in San Rafael, CA?

The average age of rental buildings in San Rafael is 42 years old, with 13% being newer apartment buildings completed since 2000. The average height of apartment buildings in the city is 3 stories, of which 96% are garden-style apartment communities, 8% are mid-sized buildings, and none are high-rises. These characteristics describe large-scale apartment communities of 50 apartments or more.

What apartment floorplans are common in San Rafael, CA?

Rental apartments in San Rafael come in a range of sizes and floorplans. Studio apartments represent 12% of units for rent, ideal for singles, renters on a budget and people who value central locations more than space. Rentals with 1-bedroom floorplans make up 46% of the total apartments in the city, while 2-bedroom floorplans represent around 37% of all rentals in San Rafael. The rest are larger floorplans with 3 bedrooms or more, typically preferred by families, larger households or roommates sharing space.

Living in San Rafael, CA

San Rafael is a small city in Marin County, CA, and attracts renters to its parklands, unique architecture and artistic community. The city is known for the Mission San Rafael Archangel, which accepts visitors every day and is located in the downtown area. San Rafael has a fascinating history as one of the original Spanish mission settlements and offers its renters easy access to San Francisco and Mount Tamalpais. The closest beach is Stinson Beach, which is a 30-minute drive from San Rafael. This California city has long, clear, and comfortable summers, while the winters are short, wet and cold. It sees 41 inches of rain and 256 sunny days per year, both of which are higher than the U.S. average. San Rafael also receives no snow, but renters should be prepared for earthquakes.

Renting in San Rafael, CA

San Rafael is home to 30 neighborhoods with a mixed urban-suburban feel that’s dominated by renters. Most of the renters are families and young professionals. In this city, you get access to different rental buildings, with a few being new rental apartments. These are mostly garden-style communities, but no high-rise buildings for rent. The best neighborhoods for renters to live in within San Rafael are Terra Linda, San Rafael Hill, West End and Gerstle Park, with Terra Linda being the largest community. Notably, renters in San Rafael are protected by rent control, as the landlord is not allowed to increase rent by more than 10% during a 12-month period. If the landlord increases it by 5% or more, both parties are allowed to request a mediation.

Shopping in San Rafael, CA

San Rafael offers its renters a wide range of shopping opportunities with a lot of restaurants, cafes and shops within walking distance of the residential areas. Northgate is the largest shopping mall in the city, providing stores and a cinema. There’s also Montecito Plaza, which stands out more for its dining and spa services. Downtown San Rafael offers a wide range of local stores and entertaining opportunities, like the popular Rafael Film Center, for renters to explore. For grocery shopping, renters usually go to Whole Foods, Sprouts Farmers Market and United Market. The city also has popular stores in its shopping malls, including Kohl’s, Target, Macy’s, T.J. Maxx, Ross Dress for Less and Trader Joe’s.

Transportation in San Rafael, CA

San Rafael is walkable, especially in the downtown area, where renters can run most errands on foot. And, while the city does not have many bike planes, it does provide its renters with public transportation. That said, most renters in the city drive to work. Marin County provides public transit in San Rafael through Marin Transit, Marin Access, SMART and Golden Gate Transit. Renters can also use the SMART Train on Highway 101 and the Golden Gate Ferries to visit San Francisco, Sausalito and Larkspur. The Golden Gate Transit also provides reliable transportation to other counties, like San Francisco and Sonoma. Plus, there are numerous hiking and biking spots available to renters in the city. Finally, San Rafael Airport is a small airport with no major airlines. The closest major airport is Oakland International Airport.

Look for apartments near me

Are you looking to land that one apartment near you that ticks all the boxes? Now you can browse through available RentCafe apartment listings in your area, rated and reviewed by verified residents. Comparing the size, price, amenities and location of apartments for rent near you is easier than ever. Do you feel like expanding the search beyond your neighborhood and ZIP code? Browse apartments for rent in your city and state to find the best fit, wherever you are in the U.S. Somewhere out there is the perfect apartment just waiting for you.

Whether you're looking for a studio, an apartment with one or more bedrooms, or maybe you're upgrading to a luxury apartment or need to acommodate a pet, RentCafe allows you to easily search for a rental near you based on your criteria, anywhere in the U.S. So, let's find your new home today!

RentCafe is your one-stop shop for finding a great new apartment in San Rafael, CA. Easily search through a wide selection of apartments for rent in San Rafael, CA, and view detailed information about available rentals including floor plans, pricing, photos, amenities, interactive maps, and thorough property descriptions. Property owners and managers are one click away, so feel free to contact them and find out all you need to know about the apartment you’re interested in. Browse San Rafael, CA apartments with rents starting from $500 and submit your rental application today!

Finding a home nearby is easier than you think. Check out our Apartments Near Me page and take your pick!

1 BED	$2,999
2 BEDS	$3,850

STUDIO	$2,118+
1 BED	$2,462+
2 BEDS	$3,453+

STUDIO	Ask for Pricing
1 BED	$2,281+
2 BEDS	$2,824+

STUDIO	$2,118+
1 BED	$2,462+
2 BEDS	$3,453+

1 BED	$1,667
2 BEDS	Ask for Pricing

STUDIO	$2,317
1 BED	$2,250
2+ BEDS	$2,895+

1 BED	$2,550
2 BEDS	$2,995
3 BEDS	$3,350

STUDIO	$2,050
1 BED	$2,500+
2+ BEDS	$2,850+

2 BEDS	$2,995
3 BEDS	$1,225

Apartments for Rent in San Rafael, CA 92 Rentals Available

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