Apartments for Rent in San Rafael, CA (732 Rentals)

How Many Bedrooms?Done
Select your price rangeDone
to
Note: Properties with the Total Monthly Price badge include all required fees. Hover over the badge for details.
Lifestyle Matching SearchDone
Learn more about Lifestyle Search
By AmenitiesDone
By Community TypeDone
Features and AvailabilityDone
Done

Bay Living Like a Local: The Insider's Guide to Life and Renting in San Francisco, CA

Unlock the personality of Renting and Living in the City by the Bay. Learn where to eat the best tacos, find hidden views, and embrace the charming contradictions of San Francisco life.

Read Article
close
View Me
206 Ross Valley Dr, Unit A
$2,500

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent$2,500
Total Monthly Price$2,500
Studio Apartment Available Now

206 Ross Valley Dr, Unit A

206 Ross Valley DrSan Rafael, CA 94901
Affordability
property at 820 Mission Ave
$4,100

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent$4,100
Total Monthly Price$4,100
2 Bedroom, 1.5 Bath Condo for Rent
Available Sep 14

820 Mission Ave, Unit 4

820 Mission Ave
San RafaelCA94901
property at 678 Las Colindas Rd
$5,800

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent$5,800
Total Monthly Price$5,800
4 Bedroom, 2 Bath Home for Rent
Available Sep 7
Outdoors

678 Las Colindas Rd

San RafaelCA94903

Renters Insurance 101: What It Is, What It Covers, and Why You Need It

From theft to fire to water damage, the unexpected can happen to any renter. Discover why renters insurance is one of the smartest and most affordable investments you can make as a tenant.

Read Article
property at 1821 Lincoln Ave
$2,315 - $2,495
1 Bedroom Rentals
Available Now
Affordability

1821 Lincoln Ave

San RafaelCA94901

Where to Live, Where to Work: Your Guide to Top Neighborhoods to Rent Near San Francisco's 5 Best Employers

Maximize your work-life balance in San Francisco. Discover the ideal neighborhoods for renting, from SoMa to Nob Hill, for employees of the city's 5 leading companies.

Read Article

San Francisco's Best Affordable Neighborhoods

Learn about San Francisco and the best places to live with original content written by our San Francisco, CA Local Expert Shannon Hilson

Read Article
close
View Me
Finch at Larkspur
$3,680 - $6,086

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent$3,680 - $6,086
Total Monthly Price$3,680 - $6,086
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

Finch at Larkspur

700 Lincoln Village CirLarkspur, CA 94939
  • Verified
  • Customer Reviewed
  • 3D Tour
close
View Me
Tidewood
Rent Specials
$4,631 - $8,566

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent$4,631 - $8,566
Total Monthly PriceVaries
1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

Tidewood

100 Old Quarry RdLarkspur, CA 94939
  • Verified
  • Customer Reviewed
  • 3D Tour

How I Find the Perfect Rental for My Clients: A Real Estate Pro's Guide

Finding the right apartment starts with three things: location, cost, and amenities. Get the insider perspective from a real estate professional on how to nail all three.

Read Article
Showing Results 1-50, Page 1 of 15

San Rafael, CA Local Guide

Photo of Justin Habersaat - Editing Staff
Written By:
Justin Habersaat
Editing Staff

A Seasoned Property Manager's Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Your Deposit Back

Learn the property manager's true secrets to a zero-deduction move-out. Use this step-by-step guide on documentation, cleaning, and lease-reading to reclaim your security deposit.

Read Article
Decorative image

18 Must-Ask Rental Tour Questions That Reveal the Truth about a Property

Tour smarter and choose with confidence. Get the essential 18 questions that reveal the truth about a rental property's maintenance, utilities, and safety.

Read Article
Decorative image

Navigating the Rental Market: Tips for First-Time Renters

Entering the rental market? Learn these simple tips and strategies to avoid common pitfalls and make confident choices. Rent with peace of mind.

Read Article

Local Guide To the Best Student Friendly Neighborhoods to Rent Near Colleges in San Francisco

A Local Experts guide to the Best Student Friendly Neighborhoods Near Colleges in the Bay area for affordable living. Find your perfect San Francisco Student apartment, condo, or rental home today at ApartmentHomeliving.com

Read Article
Decorative image

Real Estate and Rental Term Glossary | ApartmentHomeLiving.com Renter University

From the letter A all the way to the letter Z, the Real Estate and Rental Term Glossary from the content team at ApartmentHomeLiving.com provides our visitors and shoppers with a little clarity and helpful guidance in navigating the real estate world through definitions and explainers for the top subjects and terms that someone may come across during the leasing, buying, or selling process.

Read Article
Decorative image

Quick Rent Budget Calculator

How much rent can you afford?

The common "Rule of Thumb" is that rent should be no more than 30% of your income. How much is that? Enter your monthly income and click "Calculate My Budget" to find out.

decorative image of people with a giant lease agreement

San Rafael Overview

Known as 'the city with a mission', San Rafael is located in the northern bay area of California, just a hop and a skip from San Francisco and boasting a budding population of close to 60,000 residents. Flush with culture, nightlife and natural beauty to spare, this sunny locale is a winning destination for good reason.

What is the history of San Rafael?

Settled in the 1800s, San Rafael truly came into its own with the addition of the North Pacific Railroad in 1879, seeing full national rail linking a mere decade later. The area found popularity among the film industry in the late 1970s, including a studio by George Lucas. Home to an abundance of forest and marsh, San Rafael is also a natural landscape brimming with wildlife, while still offer all of the conveniences and amenities of a growing California city.

How is the weather in San Rafael?

Winters tend to be mild for those living in San Rafael apartments, with the city rarely seeing below-freezing temperatures. Summers can be warm, however, with the rainy season covering largely the November to April months.

How do I get around town?

Golden Gate Transit offer much in the way of bus service for the San Rafael region, and several lines of the SMART Rail system extend outward from the city limits. A direct rail line to the nearby Santa Rosa Airport was completed in 2017, making travel for those residing in apartments in San Rafael a breeze. Bicycling and ride sharing are also popular among the city dwellers, although many still claim ownership of at least one personal automobile as well.

What is the San Rafael commute like?

"U.S. Route 101 handles much of the traffic leading up the northern coast, as well as south to San Francisco. Interstate 580 leads to the East Bay, with the Richmond - San Rafael Bridge get much use by commuters. Traffic can snarl during peak 9-to-5 hours for those headed to San Fran, although travel across the city proper generally moves at a reasonable pace most days. "

What are the local media outlets?

San Francisco media covers much of the day-to-day for San Rafael apartment residents, with the online outlet MarinScope offering additional coverage. Broadcast television is wide in scope, from NBC to CBS, and radio tends to offer up a mix of modern rock, talk radio and R&B.

Why live in San Rafael, CA?

With a great economic base thanks to local technology employers such as Comcast, Telltale Games and Stormfront Studios, San Rafael rentals are an excellent place to live and work. Offering plenty of that world-famous California weather, as well as a mouth-watering array of cuisine, this west coast hot spot is an ideal locale for a variety of lifestyles.

What San Rafael landmarks should I see?

The Rafael Theater gained fame in the film 'American Graffiti', and the Akbar College of Music is known around the world for its focus on Indian classical. The Marin County Civic Center was designed by architecture legend Frank Lloyd Wright, and the San Rafael Film Center is a must-visit for cinema fans.

What is there to do around San Rafael?

Get in to the swing of things at the Peacock Gap Golf Course, or take the dog for a walk at the scenic China Camp State Park, both easily accessible from a variety of San Rafael apartments. Cheer on the San Rafael Pacifics as they battle for baseball glory, or enjoy brunch with friends at the popular Crepevine.

Any annual festivals or San Rafael events to know?

The aptly named Wonders of Space and Time Festival focuses upon biotech innovation, while the San Rafael Food and Wine Fest pays homage to some of the local's favorite indulgences. The Italian Street Painting Festival combines art with local music and cuisine, making it a hit with a variety of San Rafael apartment residents.

Where are the nearby vacation spots?

San Francisco is an obvious choice for those eager for a weekend escape, from the famed bridge to the nearby wine country tours. Head north along 101 all the way up to scenic Eugene, Oregon for some camping or fishing, or head south to the bright lights and glamour of Los Angeles, both an easy car ride from many San Rafael apartments.

Where is the best place to move in San Rafael?

Whether you are in the market for a luxurious San Rafael 2-bedroom apartment with sweeping water views and private reserved parking, or simply desire an economic family rental that offers easy access to area schools and has pet-friendly policies, we are confident that the ultimate San Rafael rental is out there waiting for you. Start your hunt today and begin enjoying all that California has to offer!

San Rafael, CA
Population: 58,704

Ranked #647

in US Census Population by City

decorative image of people examining a giant globe and floating graphs

Best Local Schools in
San Rafael, CA

School data provided by Great Schools

Remember the 3 Rules of Real Estate:
Location, Location, Location!

Explore San Rafael, CA Rentals by Map

Decorative image of map

See the most popular apartments and homes in San Rafael, CA

View Map
San Rafael, CA Apartments Map
View Map
San Rafael, CA Rental Homes Map

Frequently Asked Questions about San Rafael

What is the current pricing and availability for apartments for rent in San Rafael, CA?

As of today, September 03, 2026, there are currently 732 available San Rafael apartments priced from $1,975 to $8,170, with an average monthly rent of $3,647.

What San Rafael neighborhoods have the most available apartments?

There are 33 neighborhoods in the San Rafael area with available listings as of today. The three neighborhoods with the most options are Japantown with 7,915 listings, Oakland Hills with 6,817 listings, and East Oakland with 5,038 listings.

How much are Studio apartments in San Rafael?

There are currently 246 Studio Apartments in San Rafael with rent ranges from $1,975 to $2,500 with an average price of $2,385.

What is the current price range for One Bedroom San Rafael Apartments for rent?

Today's rental pricing for One Bedroom Apartments in San Rafael ranges from $2,095 to $4,631 with an average monthly rent of $3,052.

What does renting a Two Bedroom Apartment in San Rafael cost?

The monthly rent prices of Two Bedroom Apartments currently available in San Rafael range from $2,629 to $8,170. Today's average rental price for Two Bedrooms here is $4,348.

How expensive are San Rafael Three Bedroom Apartments?

There are currently 123 Three Bedroom Apartments listings available in San Rafael on ApartmentHomeLiving.com. The pricing ranges from $3,150 to $7,476 - averaging $5,508 for the location.

Expert Rental Resources

The rental experts at ApartmentHomeLiving.com provide you with top advice, tools, and tips for understanding the leasing process and finding the perfect rental. Here are a few helpful rental and leasing articles from our experts to guide you on your search.

Helpful Local Expert Guides

decorative image for Where to Live Near San Francisco: A Guide to the Best Surrounding Cities for Renters article

Where to Live Near San Francisco: A Guide to the Best Surrounding Cities for Renters

Written by: Shannon Hilson

San Francisco is absolutely the type of city that pulls a person in right away, and it’s not hard to see why.

decorative image for Bay Living Like a Local: The Insider's Guide to Life and Renting in San Francisco, CA article

Bay Living Like a Local: The Insider's Guide to Life and Renting in San Francisco, CA

Written by: Shannon Hilson

San Francisco is so much more than just postcard-perfect views of cable cars and the Golden Gate Bridge.

decorative image for Where to Live, Where to Work: Your Guide to Top Neighborhoods to Rent Near San Francisco's 5 Best Employers article

Where to Live, Where to Work: Your Guide to Top Neighborhoods to Rent Near San Francisco's 5 Best Employers

Written by: Shannon Hilson

Deciding to move to San Francisco for work is a huge deal. San Fran is exciting and just weird enough to let you know you’re in for an amazing adventure, right from day one.

decorative image for Local Guide To the Best Student Friendly Neighborhoods to Rent Near Colleges in San Francisco article

Local Guide To the Best Student Friendly Neighborhoods to Rent Near Colleges in San Francisco

Written by: Shannon Hilson

Naturally, going away to college or university is super exciting in and of itself. It’s the prelude to the rest of your life, not to mention an unforgettable experience all its own.

Articles, How-To's, and Tips

decorative image for Exploring Rental Options: Apartments, Townhomes, and Lofts - Oh My! article

Exploring Rental Options: Apartments, Townhomes, and Lofts - Oh My!

Written by: Robin Stewart

Where do you see yourself? When you think of home, sweet home, are you in a 3/2 apartment? Dreaming of a tall townhome? Maybe an industrial loft heavy on cool vibes is on your visioning board.

decorative image for Practical Tips for Renters: How to Identify a Great Rental and Avoid Red Flags article

Practical Tips for Renters: How to Identify a Great Rental and Avoid Red Flags

Written by: Robin Stewart

Renters want to find a great apartment, the right place for them, one that checks all the boxes of location, rental cost, amenities, safety, and more.

decorative image for First Apartment Regrets: Real Renters Share What They'd Do Differently article

First Apartment Regrets: Real Renters Share What They'd Do Differently

Written by: Robin Stewart

Hindsight is 20/20. Live and Learn. With age comes wisdom. We’re familiar with all those expressions, and all of them apply to lessons first-time renters learn.

decorative image for Renters Insurance 101: What It Is, What It Covers, and Why You Need It article

Renters Insurance 101: What It Is, What It Covers, and Why You Need It

Written by: Robin Stewart

Insurance seems to be a part of life. In some states, having insurance is the law, as is the case for automobile insurance. Renters are no exception.