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City Report · CA

San Rafael

Pop. 60,433·155th most expensive in California·One of the pricier rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$2,992/mo
Year-over-Year
+2.5%
Month-over-Month
-0.2%
vs US Median
+$1,027
Stable (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
San Rafael · $2,992
More expensive than 90% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
54/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are right about where San Rafael's 10-year trend predicts.

Actual rent
$2,992/mo
Expected by trend
$3,046/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where San Rafael's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$2,330
1 BR
$2,855
2 BR
$3,405
3 BR
$4,210
4 BR+
$4,520
Research median
$3,405/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$35,904/yr
At $2,992/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are climbing (2.5% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.
Based on rent-price momentum (+2.5% YoY, -0.2% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

San Rafael, CA is roughly split between renters and owners, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 49.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
60,433
Median income
$119,435
Median age
43.2
Renters
47%
Age distribution
19.7%
19.2%
26.9%
13.8%
20.4%
Under 1819.7%
18–3419.2%
35–5426.9%
55–6413.8%
65+20.4%
Gender
49.2%
50.8%
Male49.2%
Female50.8%
Race & ethnicity
53.7%
35.5%
White53.7%
Black2.2%
Hispanic35.5%
Asian5.1%
Other3.6%
Education (25+)
15.2%
13.7%
21.4%
49.7%
No HS diploma15.2%
HS diploma13.7%
Some college21.4%
Bachelor's+49.7%
Housing tenure
53%
47%
Owner53%
Renter47%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How San Rafael, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$2,525 → $2,992
up 18.5%
Income
$104,521 → $119,435
up 14.3%
Population
61,158 → 60,433
down 1.2%
Renter share
49.5% → 47%
-2.5 pts
Bachelor's+
50.4% → 49.7%
-0.7 pts

Rent in San Rafael, CA has climbed 18.5% since 2021, going from about $2,525 per month to roughly $2,992 today. Census figures show median household income at $119,435 today, compared with $104,521 five years earlier. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 4.2 percentage points, which means renters are spending a larger slice of each paycheck on housing than they did in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 61,158 to 60,433 between 2021 and 2024, a 1.2% change. About 47% of households rent today, against 49.5% in 2021. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2021.

Community

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View San Rafael rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in San Rafael on your salary?

At $2,992/mo, how San Rafael rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

San Rafael rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in San Rafael. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in San Rafael

About renting in San Rafael, CA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in San Rafael is $2,992/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,330/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $3,405/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,855/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $4,210/mo.

At 30% of local median household income ($119,435/yr), San Rafael ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 2.5% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is San Rafael an affordable city for renters?

San Rafael is considered moderate for renters. At $2,992/mo, rent takes approximately 30% of the local median household income ($119,435/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. San Rafael slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in San Rafael?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $120,000/year (~$58/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,992/mo in San Rafael. The local median household income is $119,435/yr, meaning the typical San Rafael household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in San Rafael?

Rent in San Rafael has increased 2.5% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which San Rafael neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in San Rafael are 94901 ($2,778/mo), and 94903 ($3,205/mo). Citywide, the median rent in San Rafael is $2,992/mo.

How does San Rafael rent compare to other cities in California?

San Rafael is middle-of-the-pack for California for rent, ranking #155 out of 387 tracked cities at $2,992/mo.

What percentage of San Rafael residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 47% of San Rafael households are renters, while 53% are owner-occupied. San Rafael leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does San Rafael rent compare to the national average?

San Rafael's median rent of $2,992/mo is $1,027 (52%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within California, it ranks #155 out of 387 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
30%
MODERATE

At $2,992/mo, rent takes ~30% of San Rafael's median household income ($119,435/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

San Rafael 30%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
Run the San Rafael affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in San Rafael
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near San Rafael, CA

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