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Rental Market Trends in San Rafael, CA

What is the average rent in San Rafael, CA?

$2,210/month

Average Rent

635 Sq Ft

Average Apartment Size

+1.6%

Increase in the Last Year

As of January 2026, the average rent in San Rafael, CA is $2,210 per month. This is 36% higher than the national average rent price of $1,625/month, making San Rafael one of the most expensive cities in the US. When you rent an apartment in San Rafael, you can expect to pay about $1,818 per month for a studio, $2,210 for a one-bedroom apartment, and around $2,807 for a two-bedroom apartment. If you opt for a three-bedroom rental, you could pay $3,361 or more.

Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Studio
$1,818/month
400 Sq Ft
One Bedroom
$2,210/month
635 Sq Ft
Two Bedroom
$2,807/month
876 Sq Ft
Three Bedroom
$3,361/month
1,076 Sq Ft
Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Three Bedroom
$5,522/month
1,489 Sq Ft
Four Bedroom
$10,475/month
3,199 Sq Ft
Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Two Bedroom
$3,678/month
1,019 Sq Ft
Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft

How much has average rent changed in San Rafael, CA?

In the past year, rent has increased by 1.6%, which averages out to $35 more per month.

Market Trends Over Time   The chart below compares average rent prices to the previous year during the same time period.
Last Updated January 2026
Legend
2025 2026
Market Trends Over Time
Rent Ranges in San Rafael, CA
Last Updated January 2026
Above $2,000
Most rental prices fall within this range
Rent Ranges in San Rafael, CA
Percentage*
Rent Range
0% Below $700/month
2% $700 - $1,000/month
15% $1,001 - $1,500/month
24% $1,501 - $2,000/month
59% Above $2,000/month

Rent by Neighborhood

Last Updated Today
  • Most Affordable
  • Most Expensive
  • Most Available

What are the most affordable neighborhoods in San Rafael?

Based on current rent prices, Downtown San Rafael, Smith Ranch and Canal are the most affordable neighborhoods in San Rafael.

Calculate Rent Affordability
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Downtown San Rafael
$2,621/month
672 Sq Ft
Smith Ranch
$2,755/month
729 Sq Ft
Canal
$3,485/month
792 Sq Ft

What are the most expensive neighborhoods in San Rafael?

Based on current rent prices, Canal, Smith Ranch and Downtown San Rafael are the most expensive neighborhoods in San Rafael.

Calculate Rent Affordability
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Canal
$3,485/month
792 Sq Ft
Smith Ranch
$2,755/month
729 Sq Ft
Downtown San Rafael
$2,621/month
672 Sq Ft

Which San Rafael neighborhoods have the most rentals available?

The neighborhoods in San Rafael with the most apartments available are Downtown San Rafael, Smith Ranch and Canal .

Calculate Rent Affordability
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Downtown San Rafael
$2,621/month
672 Sq Ft
Smith Ranch
$2,755/month
729 Sq Ft
Canal
$3,485/month
792 Sq Ft
This information is based on data collected by CoStar Group researchers.†

What salary do I need to live comfortably in San Rafael, CA?

Because the average rent in San Rafael is $2,210, you’ll want to make about $7,366 per month or $88,392 per year. The general guideline is to pay no more than 30 percent of your monthly income on rent. However, you’ll want to consider additional factors, such as your monthly bills and other expenses. Use our rent affordability calculator to help determine how much to budget for rent.

City

San Rafael, CA

198 Available Apartments for Rent

Search for Nearby Apartments

How does San Rafael, CA compare to other nearby cities and neighborhoods?

Use the tool below to compare San Rafael, CA to other nearby cities and neighborhoods. The Apartments.com neighborhood guides provide you with insight into the area’s transportation, things to do, and more.

Explore the Area Guide for San Rafael, CA

Apartment Averages

Downtown San Rafael

San Rafael, CA

Canal

San Rafael, CA

Studio
$1,944/month
$1,976/month
One Bedroom
$2,515/month
$1,930/month
Two Bedroom
$3,149/month
$2,580/month
Three Bedroom
-
$3,430/month
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Nearby City Rent Trends

  • San Anselmo Average Rent
  • Kentfield Average Rent
  • Larkspur Average Rent
  • Greenbrae Average Rent
  • Corte Madera Average Rent
  • Fairfax Average Rent
  • Mill Valley Average Rent

Apartment communities in San Rafael we think you'll love

Serenity at Larkspur

Serenity at Larkspur

700 Lincoln Village Cir,
Larkspur, CA 94939

$2,995 - $3,795

1-2 Beds

Highlands of Marin

Highlands of Marin

1001 Cresta Way,
San Rafael, CA 94903

$2,399 - $3,699

1-3 Beds

Larkspur Courts

Larkspur Courts

100 Old Quarry Rd,
Larkspur, CA 94939

$3,115 - $7,265

1-3 Beds

Bella Vista (06/25)

Bella Vista (06/25)

255 Channing Way,
San Rafael, CA 94903

$3,295

2 Beds

Property Management Companies in San Rafael, CA

Greystar
Greystar
  • 3,458

    Communities

  • 953,880

    Units

  • 889

    Cities

2 Communities in San Rafael
AMC
AMC
  • 650

    Communities

  • 128,108

    Units

  • 252

    Cities

1 Community in San Rafael
Winn Companies
Winn Companies
  • 163

    Communities

  • 33,080

    Units

  • 114

    Cities

1 Community in San Rafael
UDR
UDR
  • 170

    Communities

  • 58,643

    Units

  • 85

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1 Community in San Rafael

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United States California San Rafael Rental Trends

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 November 2025.

* Percentages may not total 100 due to rounding.

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Equal Housing Opportunity