1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in San Rafael, CA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in San Rafael, California as of October 2026. That's +10% lower than the citywide median of $3,166 and +105% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in San Rafael
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in San Rafael
Compare San Rafael's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in California
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taft | $880 |
| 2 | Lakeport | $900 |
| 3 | Ridgecrest | $938 |
| 4 | California City | $950 |
| 5 | Clearlake | $950 |
| 6 | Oroville | $1,005 |
| 7 | El Centro | $1,020 |
| 8 | Paradise | $1,020 |
| 9 | Red Bluff | $1,030 |
| 10 | Eureka | $1,040 |
| 11 | Fortuna | $1,050 |
| 12 | Porterville | $1,060 |
| 13 | Shafter | $1,060 |
| 14 | Tehachapi | $1,110 |
| 15 | Hanford | $1,120 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in California
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Montecito | $4,030 |
| 2 | Cupertino | $3,880 |
| 3 | Foster City | $3,820 |
| 4 | Scotts Valley | $3,600 |
| 5 | Aptos | $3,600 |
| 6 | Tiburon | $3,530 |
| 7 | Los Altos | $3,530 |
| 8 | Coronado | $3,460 |
| 9 | Sunnyvale | $3,438 |
| 10 | Millbrae | $3,410 |
| 11 | Corte Madera | $3,390 |
| 12 | Santa Barbara | $3,382 |
| 13 | Palo Alto | $3,305 |
| 14 | Mountain View | $3,303 |
| 15 | Ladera Ranch | $3,280 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than San Rafael.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs San Rafael |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Anselmo, CA | 3.5 mi | $2,710 | $-145 (-5%) |
| Larkspur, CA | 4.4 mi | $3,120 | +$265 (+9%) |
| Corte Madera, CA | 4.9 mi | $3,390 | +$535 (+19%) |
| Novato, CA | 7.3 mi | $2,567 | $-288 (-10%) |
| Mill Valley, CA | 7.5 mi | $3,090 | +$235 (+8%) |
| Tiburon, CA | 8.9 mi | $3,530 | +$675 (+24%) |
| Sausalito, CA | 10.3 mi | $2,990 | +$135 (+5%) |
| San Pablo, CA | 12.8 mi | $1,481 | $-1,374 (-48%) |
| Richmond, CA | 13.6 mi | $1,950 | $-905 (-32%) |
| El Cerrito, CA | 16.7 mi | $2,170 | $-685 (-24%) |
| Pinole, CA | 16.8 mi | $2,240 | $-615 (-22%) |
| San Francisco, CA | 17.2 mi | $2,842 | $-13 (0%) |
1-Bedroom rent in San Rafael — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in San Rafael?
As of October 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in San Rafael, California is $2,855 per month. This is +10% below the citywide median of $3,166.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in San Rafael?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $114,200 ($9,517/month gross), which works out to roughly $54.90/hour at a full-time job.
Is San Rafael expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
San Rafael's 1-bedroom median of $2,855 is +105% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 98th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does San Rafael rank for 1-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 380 cities in California with 1-bedroom data, San Rafael ranks #321 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near San Rafael?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include San Anselmo ($2,710), Novato ($2,567), San Pablo ($1,481).