Median Age
44 Years
Largest Age Group
45-54 Years
Approximately 13% of Residents
Under 20
21%
Over 65
23%
San Rafael
San Rafael, CA Area Guide
Avg Rent
$2,210
Population
58,964
Renter Mix
49% Rent
The North Bay’s prime artistic community
Commuter
•
Arts
•
Schools
•
Outdoors
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San Rafael sits at the heart of Marin County, serving as the county seat with a downtown scene that balances big-city energy with a distinctly laid-back Northern California pace. The streets surrounding Fourth Street are lined with local shops, eateries, and galleries, making it easy to run errands, grab coffee, or spend a slow afternoon without ever getting in your car. City parks are plentiful, and the coastal preserves and vast national forests to the north put serious outdoor adventures well within reach.
The arts carry real weight here. Bay Area native George Lucas made San Rafael the home of Industrial Light & Magic, cementing the city's creative identity. The Smith Rafael Film Center screens an eclectic lineup of classic and contemporary films inside a stunning downtown Art Deco theater that's been a cultural anchor for decades. The monthly 2nd Friday Art Walk draws a lively local crowd to galleries and studios throughout the area.
Renters will find a solid mix of options, from garden-style apartment communities nestled in quiet hillside neighborhoods to sleek downtown lofts and modern townhomes. With San Francisco roughly 30 minutes away, San Rafael offers a grounded Marin County lifestyle without sacrificing access to one of the world's most dynamic cities.
Explore the City
Mission San Rafael Arcángel is a Spanish mission in downtown San Rafael.
Families enjoy the sun at China Camp State Park.
A lady calls her dog over so she can get started on her hike through Sorich Park.
Condominiums are built atop the hillside with gorgeous views of Smith Ranch below.
Marin Farmer's Market is one of the largest Farmer's Markets in the bay area.
A shorebird enjoys views of the harbor in Country Club nearby Andy's Local Market.
Demographics
Median Household Income
$103,082
Average: $136,471
Education
24,851
Residents Have a Degree
Job Market
31,727
Workers Employed
Age Distribution
Get a sense of this area's population profile.
Housing Distribution
San Rafael has more homeowners than renters.
Renters
49%
Non-Renters
51%
Education Distribution
Review this city's overall education levels.
Bachelor's or Higher
37%
Other Education
63%
Rent Trends
As of May 2026, the average apartment rent in San Rafael, CA is $1,865 for a studio, $2,201 for one bedroom, $2,815 for two bedrooms, and $3,415 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in San Rafael has increased by 0.6% in the past year.
Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$2,201/month
636 Sq Ft
House
$7,385/month
1,763 Sq Ft
Getting Around
Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly San Rafael, CA is for everyday living.
Somewhat Walkable
Walkability
30
/ 100
Limited Public Transit
Transit
20
/ 100
Exceptionally Drivable
Drivability
90
/ 100
Fairly Bikeable
Bikeability
40
/ 100
Scores provided by
Schools
Public
Grades K-5
523 Students
Public
Grades K-5
408 Students
Public
Grades K-5
315 Students
Public
Grades K-5
287 Students
Public
Grades K-5
378 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
620 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
1,052 Students
Venetia Valley Elementary School
Public
Grades K-8
748 Students
Marin County Special Education School
Public
Grades K-12
215 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,248 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,332 Students
Madrone High Continuation School
Public
Grades 9-12
Marin County Special Education School
Public
Grades K-12
215 Students
Marin School of Environmental Leadership
Public
Grades 9-12
90 Students
School data provided by
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
Points of Interest
Shopping Centers
Parks and Recreation
- WildCare
- China Camp State Park
- Hal Brown Park at Creekside
- John F. McInnis County Park
- McNear's Beach County Park
Transit / Subway
Military Bases
Airports
- Metro Oakland International
- San Francisco International
Top Apartments in San Rafael
Houses for Rent in San Rafael
Property Management Companies in San Rafael, CA
Greystar
-
3,499
Communities
-
962,359
Units
-
891
Cities
1 Community in San Rafael
AMC
-
616
Communities
-
123,102
Units
-
244
Cities
1 Community in San Rafael
Avenue5 Residential
-
580
Communities
-
129,462
Units
-
223
Cities
1 Community in San Rafael
Winn Companies
-
158
Communities
-
27,342
Units
-
113
Cities
1 Community in San Rafael
CONAM Management Corporation
-
171
Communities
-
29,835
Units
-
86
Cities
1 Community in San Rafael
UDR
-
167
Communities
-
58,082
Units
-
85
Cities
1 Community in San Rafael
Search Nearby Rentals
Nearby City Rentals
Nearby Neighborhood Rentals
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Methodology
† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.
Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.
Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in February 2026.
Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.