Studio Apartment Rent in San Rafael, CA
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in San Rafael, California as of August 2026. That's +25% lower than the citywide median of $3,100 and +81% above the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio 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 studio 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 studio in California
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florin | $738 |
| 2 | Ridgecrest | $864 |
| 3 | Taft | $870 |
| 4 | Lakeport | $890 |
| 5 | El Centro | $910 |
| 6 | Barstow | $915 |
| 7 | Red Bluff | $930 |
| 8 | California City | $940 |
| 9 | Clearlake | $950 |
| 10 | Paradise | $970 |
| 11 | Eureka | $980 |
| 12 | Oroville | $985 |
| 13 | Fortuna | $990 |
| 14 | Florence-Graham | $1,029 |
| 15 | Porterville | $1,050 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in California
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Cruz | $3,520 |
| 2 | Scotts Valley | $3,420 |
| 3 | Aptos | $3,420 |
| 4 | Cupertino | $3,410 |
| 5 | Coronado | $3,190 |
| 6 | Ladera Ranch | $3,140 |
| 7 | Los Altos | $3,130 |
| 8 | Foster City | $3,130 |
| 9 | Newport Beach | $3,102 |
| 10 | Capitola | $3,100 |
| 11 | Sunnyvale | $3,010 |
| 12 | Santa Barbara | $3,000 |
| 13 | Irvine | $3,000 |
| 14 | Solana Beach | $2,970 |
| 15 | Saratoga | $2,910 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than San Rafael.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs San Rafael |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Anselmo, CA | 3.5 mi | $2,210 | $-120 (-5%) |
| Larkspur, CA | 4.4 mi | $2,550 | +$220 (+9%) |
| Corte Madera, CA | 4.9 mi | $2,770 | +$440 (+19%) |
| Fairfax, CA | 7.3 mi | $2,070 | $-260 (-11%) |
| Novato, CA | 7.3 mi | $2,097 | $-233 (-10%) |
| Mill Valley, CA | 7.5 mi | $2,530 | +$200 (+9%) |
| Tiburon, CA | 8.9 mi | $2,890 | +$560 (+24%) |
| Sausalito, CA | 10.3 mi | $2,450 | +$120 (+5%) |
| San Pablo, CA | 12.8 mi | $1,709 | $-621 (-27%) |
| Richmond, CA | 13.6 mi | $1,685 | $-645 (-28%) |
| El Cerrito, CA | 16.7 mi | $1,910 | $-420 (-18%) |
| Pinole, CA | 16.8 mi | $1,970 | $-360 (-15%) |
Studio rent in San Rafael — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in San Rafael?
As of August 2026, the median studio apartment rent in San Rafael, California is $2,330 per month. This is +25% below the citywide median of $3,100.
What income do you need to afford a studio in San Rafael?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $93,200 ($7,767/month gross), which works out to roughly $44.81/hour at a full-time job.
Is San Rafael expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
San Rafael's studio median of $2,330 is +81% above the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 95th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does San Rafael rank for studio rent in California?
Among the 378 cities in California with studio data, San Rafael ranks #280 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near San Rafael?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include San Anselmo ($2,210), Fairfax ($2,070), Novato ($2,097).