Highlands of Marin
1001 Cresta Way,
San Rafael, CA 94903
1-3 Beds | $2,440 - $3,808
Rental Market Trends in San Rafael, CA
What is the average rent in San Rafael, CA?
$2,181/month
Average Rent
639 Sq Ft
Average Apartment Size
-0.1%
Decrease in the Last Year
As of July 2025, the average rent in San Rafael, CA is $2,181 per month. This is 33% higher than the national average rent price of $1,637/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 $1,831 per month for a studio, $2,181 for a one-bedroom apartment, and around $2,785 for a two-bedroom apartment. If you opt for a three-bedroom rental, you could pay $3,357 or more.
Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average 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 decreased by 0.1%, which averages out to $1 less per month.
Market Trends Over Time
The chart below compares average rent prices to the previous year during the same time period.
Last Updated July 2025
Legend
2024
2025
Rent Ranges in San Rafael, CA
Last Updated July 2025
Above $2,000
Most rental prices fall within this range
Percentage*
Rent Range
0%
Below $700/month
2%
$700 - $1,000/month
15%
$1,001 - $1,500/month
25%
$1,501 - $2,000/month
58%
Above $2,000/month
Rent by Neighborhood
Last Updated Today
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.
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average 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.
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Which San Rafael neighborhoods have the most rentals available?
The neighborhoods in San Rafael with the most apartments available are Smith Ranch, Downtown San Rafael and Canal .
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
What salary do I need to live comfortably in San Rafael, CA?
Because the average rent in San Rafael is $2,181, you’ll want to make about $7,270 per month or $87,240 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.
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.
Studio
$2,060/month
$1,958/month
One Bedroom
$2,497/month
$1,915/month
Two Bedroom
$3,027/month
$2,561/month
Three Bedroom
-
$3,404/month
Nearby City Rent Trends
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Property Management Companies in San Rafael, CA
FPI Management
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611
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103,492
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217
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3 Communities in San Rafael
Greystar
-
3,278
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911,374
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AMC
-
663
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128,973
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264
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Winn Companies
-
154
Communities
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31,462
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109
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1 Community in San Rafael
UDR
-
169
Communities
-
58,237
Units
-
85
Cities
1 Community in San Rafael
CONAM Management Corporation
-
151
Communities
-
28,461
Units
-
76
Cities
1 Community in San Rafael
Sack Capital Partners
-
17
Communities
-
2,161
Units
-
15
Cities
1 Community in San Rafael
Montgomery Capital Partners
-
10
Communities
-
550
Units
-
7
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1 Community in San Rafael
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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 June 2025.
* Percentages may not total 100 due to rounding.