San Rafael City, CA Rental Market Trends
Last updated: October 19, 2025 | Source: RentCafe Market Analysis, Yardi Matrix, U.S. Census Bureau
Highlights
The average rent for an apartment in San Rafael City is $2,966, a 3.77% increase compared to the previous year, when the average rent was $2,858.
Studio Apartments at $2,152 offer the most budget-friendly option with 455 square feet, ideal for single renters prioritizing location over space.
One-bedroom apartments provide 706 square feet for $2,581, balancing privacy and affordability.
Two-beedroom units at $3,357 offer 954 square feet, perfect for roommates or small families.
Three-bedroom apartments deliver maximum space (1,183 sq ft) for $3,937, suitable for larger households.
Average rent in San Rafael City, CA
Last updated: October 19, 2025
| Average Rent | Average Apartment Size | |
|---|---|---|
| All Rentals | $2,966 | 821 sq. ft. |
| Studio | $2,152 | 455 sq. ft. |
| 1 Bed | $2,581 | 706 sq. ft. |
| 2 Beds | $3,357 | 954 sq. ft. |
| 3 Beds | $3,937 | 1,183 sq. ft. |
San Rafael City, CA rent trends
Rental prices in San Rafael City, CA have increased by 3.77% over the past year. The average rent moved from $2,858 to $2,966.
What's the typical rent budget in San Rafael City, CA?
The largest share of rentals in San Rafael City, CA (46%) fall between $3,000- per month. This suggests that most people succesfully find suitable apartments within this price.
Do most people rent or own in San Rafael City, CA?
11,208 or 48% of the households in San Rafael City, CA are renter-occupied while 12,042 or 52% are owner-occupied.
How San Rafael City Compares to Other Cities
| City | Average Rent |
|---|---|
| San Rafael City | $2,966 |
| Los Angeles | $2,762 |
| San Francisco | $3,545 |
| Long Beach | $2,665 |
| East Bay | $2,685 |
| Oakland | $2,651 |
| San Diego | $2,959 |
| Sacramento | $1,921 |
| San Jose | $3,170 |
| Tulare | $1,576 |
| Alameda, CA | $2,969 |
| Richmond, CA | $2,643 |
| San Pablo, CA | $2,289 |
| San Rafael, CA | $2,966 |
| Novato, CA | $2,779 |
| Petaluma, CA | $2,814 |
| Vallejo, CA | $2,121 |
| Berkeley, CA | $3,314 |
Where this data comes from
The rental statistics on this page were compiled by RentCafe.com, a nationwide apartment search website trusted by millions of renters to find apartments and houses for rent throughout the U.S.
Rent prices, trends, and apartment sizes were calculated based on data from our sister company, Yardi Matrix, an apartment market intelligence solution that covers approximately 90% of the U.S. metro area population. The data includes comprehensive information on all San Rafael City apartment buildings with 50 or more units, totaling 23.5 million apartments across 181 U.S. markets.
Housing composition data was sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau, using the most recently available information by tenure.