2-Bedroom Apartment Rent in San Rafael, CA
Median asking rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in San Rafael, California as of October 2026. That's +8% higher than the citywide median of $3,166 and +105% above the national 2-bedroom median of $1,657.
Income needed for a 2-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 2-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 2-bedroom in California
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taft | $1,140 |
| 2 | Ridgecrest | $1,171 |
| 3 | Lakeport | $1,180 |
| 4 | California City | $1,230 |
| 5 | Clearlake | $1,250 |
| 6 | Oroville | $1,305 |
| 7 | El Centro | $1,330 |
| 8 | Paradise | $1,330 |
| 9 | Red Bluff | $1,350 |
| 10 | Eureka | $1,360 |
| 11 | Fortuna | $1,370 |
| 12 | Shafter | $1,380 |
| 13 | Porterville | $1,390 |
| 14 | Hanford | $1,400 |
| 15 | Tehachapi | $1,440 |
Most expensive cities for a 2-bedroom in California
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Scotts Valley | $4,720 |
| 2 | Aptos | $4,720 |
| 3 | Foster City | $4,560 |
| 4 | Montecito | $4,540 |
| 5 | Cupertino | $4,500 |
| 6 | Capitola | $4,290 |
| 7 | Coronado | $4,280 |
| 8 | Tiburon | $4,210 |
| 9 | Los Altos | $4,170 |
| 10 | Millbrae | $4,070 |
| 11 | Corte Madera | $4,040 |
| 12 | Solana Beach | $3,990 |
| 13 | Sunnyvale | $3,980 |
| 14 | Topanga | $3,940 |
| 15 | Rancho Palos Verdes | $3,940 |
Nearby cities — 2-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 2-bedroom rents than San Rafael.
| City | Distance | 2-Bedroom rent | vs San Rafael |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Anselmo, CA | 3.5 mi | $3,230 | $-175 (-5%) |
| Larkspur, CA | 4.4 mi | $3,720 | +$315 (+9%) |
| Corte Madera, CA | 4.9 mi | $4,040 | +$635 (+19%) |
| Novato, CA | 7.3 mi | $3,063 | $-342 (-10%) |
| Mill Valley, CA | 7.5 mi | $3,690 | +$285 (+8%) |
| Tiburon, CA | 8.9 mi | $4,210 | +$805 (+24%) |
| Sausalito, CA | 10.3 mi | $3,570 | +$165 (+5%) |
| San Pablo, CA | 12.8 mi | $2,141 | $-1,264 (-37%) |
| Richmond, CA | 13.6 mi | $2,375 | $-1,030 (-30%) |
| El Cerrito, CA | 16.7 mi | $2,640 | $-765 (-22%) |
| Pinole, CA | 16.8 mi | $2,730 | $-675 (-20%) |
| San Francisco, CA | 17.2 mi | $3,390 | $-15 (0%) |
2-Bedroom rent in San Rafael — common questions
How much is a 2-bedroom apartment in San Rafael?
As of October 2026, the median 2-bedroom apartment rent in San Rafael, California is $3,405 per month. This is +8% higher than the citywide median of $3,166.
What income do you need to afford a 2-bedroom in San Rafael?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $136,200 ($11,350/month gross), which works out to roughly $65.48/hour at a full-time job.
Is San Rafael expensive for a 2-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
San Rafael's 2-bedroom median of $3,405 is +105% above the national 2-bedroom median of $1,657. It ranks in the 98th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does San Rafael rank for 2-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 381 cities in California with 2-bedroom data, San Rafael ranks #316 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 2-bedroom options near San Rafael?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 2-bedroom rents include San Anselmo ($3,230), Novato ($3,063), San Pablo ($2,141).