4+ Bedroom Apartment Rent in San Rafael, CA
Median asking rent for a 4+ bedroom apartment in San Rafael, California as of August 2026. That's +46% higher than the citywide median of $3,100 and +79% above the national 4+ bedroom median of $2,522.
Income needed for a 4+ 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 4+ 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 4+ bedroom in California
| # | City | 4+ Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ridgecrest | $1,879 |
| 2 | Taft | $1,930 |
| 3 | Lakeport | $1,980 |
| 4 | Barstow | $1,991 |
| 5 | California City | $2,070 |
| 6 | Florin | $2,076 |
| 7 | Clearlake | $2,100 |
| 8 | Maywood | $2,169 |
| 9 | Porterville | $2,210 |
| 10 | Oroville | $2,215 |
| 11 | El Centro | $2,220 |
| 12 | Paradise | $2,230 |
| 13 | Red Bluff | $2,230 |
| 14 | La Riviera | $2,250 |
| 15 | Eureka | $2,280 |
Most expensive cities for a 4+ bedroom in California
| # | City | 4+ Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coronado | $6,970 |
| 2 | Solana Beach | $6,500 |
| 3 | Santa Cruz | $6,455 |
| 4 | Cupertino | $6,370 |
| 5 | Scotts Valley | $6,270 |
| 6 | Ladera Ranch | $6,270 |
| 7 | Aptos | $6,270 |
| 8 | Newport Beach | $6,188 |
| 9 | Foster City | $6,050 |
| 10 | Irvine | $5,986 |
| 11 | Carlsbad | $5,908 |
| 12 | Los Altos | $5,850 |
| 13 | Encinitas | $5,820 |
| 14 | Laguna Beach | $5,770 |
| 15 | Chula Vista | $5,738 |
Nearby cities — 4+ bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 4+ bedroom rents than San Rafael.
| City | Distance | 4+ Bedroom rent | vs San Rafael |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Anselmo, CA | 3.5 mi | $4,280 | $-240 (-5%) |
| Larkspur, CA | 4.4 mi | $4,930 | +$410 (+9%) |
| Corte Madera, CA | 4.9 mi | $5,360 | +$840 (+19%) |
| Fairfax, CA | 7.3 mi | $4,030 | $-490 (-11%) |
| Novato, CA | 7.3 mi | $4,070 | $-450 (-10%) |
| Mill Valley, CA | 7.5 mi | $4,890 | +$370 (+8%) |
| Tiburon, CA | 8.9 mi | $5,580 | +$1,060 (+23%) |
| Sausalito, CA | 10.3 mi | $4,730 | +$210 (+5%) |
| San Pablo, CA | 12.8 mi | $2,789 | $-1,731 (-38%) |
| Richmond, CA | 13.6 mi | $3,613 | $-907 (-20%) |
| El Cerrito, CA | 16.7 mi | $4,010 | $-510 (-11%) |
| Pinole, CA | 16.8 mi | $4,150 | $-370 (-8%) |
4+ Bedroom rent in San Rafael — common questions
How much is a 4+ bedroom apartment in San Rafael?
As of August 2026, the median 4+ bedroom apartment rent in San Rafael, California is $4,520 per month. This is +46% higher than the citywide median of $3,100.
What income do you need to afford a 4+ bedroom in San Rafael?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $180,800 ($15,067/month gross), which works out to roughly $86.92/hour at a full-time job.
Is San Rafael expensive for a 4+ bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
San Rafael's 4+ bedroom median of $4,520 is +79% above the national 4+ bedroom median of $2,522. It ranks in the 95th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does San Rafael rank for 4+ bedroom rent in California?
Among the 379 cities in California with 4+ bedroom data, San Rafael ranks #265 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 4+ bedroom options near San Rafael?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 4+ bedroom rents include San Anselmo ($4,280), Fairfax ($4,030), Novato ($4,070).