3-Bedroom Apartment Rent in San Rafael, CA
Median asking rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in San Rafael, California as of October 2026. That's +33% higher than the citywide median of $3,166 and +98% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130.
Income needed for a 3-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 3-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 3-bedroom in California
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ridgecrest | $1,579 |
| 2 | Taft | $1,600 |
| 3 | Lakeport | $1,650 |
| 4 | Westmont | $1,663 |
| 5 | California City | $1,720 |
| 6 | Clearlake | $1,750 |
| 7 | Red Bluff | $1,780 |
| 8 | El Centro | $1,820 |
| 9 | Oroville | $1,840 |
| 10 | Paradise | $1,860 |
| 11 | Florin | $1,875 |
| 12 | Isla Vista | $1,904 |
| 13 | Eureka | $1,910 |
| 14 | Porterville | $1,910 |
| 15 | Fortuna | $1,920 |
Most expensive cities for a 3-bedroom in California
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Montecito | $6,010 |
| 2 | Scotts Valley | $5,870 |
| 3 | Aptos | $5,870 |
| 4 | Cupertino | $5,850 |
| 5 | Coronado | $5,720 |
| 6 | Foster City | $5,690 |
| 7 | Los Altos | $5,380 |
| 8 | Capitola | $5,340 |
| 9 | Solana Beach | $5,330 |
| 10 | Tiburon | $5,250 |
| 11 | Ladera Ranch | $5,250 |
| 12 | Newport Beach | $5,178 |
| 13 | Sunnyvale | $5,173 |
| 14 | Millbrae | $5,080 |
| 15 | Santa Barbara | $5,050 |
Nearby cities — 3-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 3-bedroom rents than San Rafael.
| City | Distance | 3-Bedroom rent | vs San Rafael |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Anselmo, CA | 3.5 mi | $4,030 | $-180 (-4%) |
| Larkspur, CA | 4.4 mi | $4,640 | +$430 (+10%) |
| Corte Madera, CA | 4.9 mi | $5,040 | +$830 (+20%) |
| Novato, CA | 7.3 mi | $3,773 | $-437 (-10%) |
| Mill Valley, CA | 7.5 mi | $4,600 | +$390 (+9%) |
| Tiburon, CA | 8.9 mi | $5,250 | +$1,040 (+25%) |
| Sausalito, CA | 10.3 mi | $4,450 | +$240 (+6%) |
| San Pablo, CA | 12.8 mi | $2,293 | $-1,917 (-46%) |
| Richmond, CA | 13.6 mi | $3,050 | $-1,160 (-28%) |
| El Cerrito, CA | 16.7 mi | $3,380 | $-830 (-20%) |
| Pinole, CA | 16.8 mi | $3,490 | $-720 (-17%) |
| San Francisco, CA | 17.2 mi | $4,185 | $-25 (-1%) |
3-Bedroom rent in San Rafael — common questions
How much is a 3-bedroom apartment in San Rafael?
As of October 2026, the median 3-bedroom apartment rent in San Rafael, California is $4,210 per month. This is +33% higher than the citywide median of $3,166.
What income do you need to afford a 3-bedroom in San Rafael?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $168,400 ($14,033/month gross), which works out to roughly $80.96/hour at a full-time job.
Is San Rafael expensive for a 3-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
San Rafael's 3-bedroom median of $4,210 is +98% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130. It ranks in the 97th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does San Rafael rank for 3-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 381 cities in California with 3-bedroom data, San Rafael ranks #297 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 3-bedroom options near San Rafael?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 3-bedroom rents include San Anselmo ($4,030), Novato ($3,773), San Pablo ($2,293).