1448 Second St
San RafaelCA94901
Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Canal Waterfront Neighborhood of San Rafael, CA from $1,200 (11 Rentals)
Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in the Canal Waterfront area of San Rafael.
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from $1,950Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Now
215 Bayview Apartments
215 Bayview StSan Rafael, CA 94901
Smart Renter's Guide: Calculating Affordable Rent & Housing Costs
Wondering how to determine your rental budget? This comprehensive guide covers everything from the 30% rule to hidden fees and effective budgeting strategies.
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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.
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Rent Specials
from $2,197Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Now
One55 Lofts
155 Andersen DrSan Rafael, CA 94901
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Know Your Rights - How Discrimination Laws Impact Landlords and Tenants
Read our practical guide to landlord and tenant rights. Understand protected classes, reasonable accommodations, and legal exceptions to prevent housing discrimination.
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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
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Showing Results 1-11, Page 1 of 1
Canal Waterfront, San Rafael, CA Local Guide
Aerial view of the Canal Area in San Rafael, California, USA by Robert Campbell, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is licensed under Internal
How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Canal Waterfront?
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canal Waterfront Studio Apartments | $2,105 | $1,500 | $2,729 |
| Canal Waterfront 1 Bedroom Apartments | $3,207 | $2,000 | $6,599 |
| Canal Waterfront 2 Bedroom Apartments | $4,140 | $2,550 | $6,853 |
| Canal Waterfront 3 Bedroom Apartments | $4,873 | $3,100 | $8,625 |
| Canal Waterfront 4 Bedroom Apartments | $5,333 | $4,200 | $6,600 |
Browse Apartments in this Neighborhood
There are currently 11 rentals with your search options within a 2 mile radius of the Canal Waterfront Neighborhood of San Rafael, CA.
See all Apartments in San RafaelExplore San Rafael
Canal Waterfront, San Rafael, CA Local Guide
- Nearby San Rafael neighborhoods
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Cheapest Available Canal Waterfront Apartments for Rent
The cheapest available apartment rental in the Canal Waterfront area of San Francisco, CA is a Studio unit found at 215 Bayview Apartments priced from $1,950. West End Villas has the second lowest priced unit, which is a 1 Bed apartment currently listed from $2,250. Here are the most affordable Canal Waterfront apartments for rent in San Francisco, CA:
| Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Priced From |
|---|---|---|---|
| 215 Bayview Apartments | Studio | Studio,1BA | $1,950 |
| West End Villas | Plan 3 | 1BR,1BA | $2,250 |
| Sommerhill Townhouses | 2 bd | 2BR,1BA | $2,464 |
| Lone Palm Court Apartments | Two bedroom | 2BR,1BA | $2,600 |
| Via Holon Apartments | One bedroom | 1BR,1BA | $2,625 |
Best Value Apartments for Rent in Canal Waterfront, CA
As of May 12, 2025 the best value apartment in the Canal Waterfront area is the $2.81 price per square foot 319 Prospect Dr Model at 319 Prospect Dr, Unit B in the in the Black Canyon neighborhood starting from $5,200. The second greatest value Canal Waterfront apartment is the 2 Bedroom 2 Bath with Den Model at 33 North Apartments starting at $4,195 with a $2.48 price per square foot in the Black Canyon neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Canal Waterfront apartments based on price per square foot:
| Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Price Per Sq.Ft. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 319 Prospect Dr, Unit B | 319 Prospect Dr | 4BR,2.5BA | $2.81 |
| 33 North Apartments | 2 Bedroom 2 Bath with Den | 2BR,2BA | $2.48 |
| Skylark Apartments | 3x2 | 3BR,2BA | $3.26 |
| The Meridian | 3x2 Large | 3BR,2BA | $3.23 |
| 24 La Vista Way, Unit 24 | 24 La Vista Way | 2BR,1BA | $2.90 |
| Rafael Town Center Apartments | 2 Bedroom 2A | 2BR,2BA | $3.70 |
| Lone Palm Court Apartments | Two bedroom | 2BR,1BA | $2.74 |
| 2 Prospect Dr, Unit 2 -2A | 2 Prospect Dr | 3BR,1BA | $3.44 |
| Via Holon Apartments | One bedroom | 1BR,1BA | $3.09 |
| Sommerhill Townhouses | 1 bd | 1BR,1BA | $3.65 |
Quick Rent Budget Calculator
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Pet Friendly LifestyleCanal Waterfront, San Rafael, CA
Ranked #19
Among neighborhoods in San Rafael, CA for Apartment listings with Pet Friendly Amenities
Pet Friendliness Lifestyle Score
4.0Pet Friendly
Best Local Schools in Canal Waterfront, San Rafael, CA
Laurel Dell Elementary
San Rafael City Elementary School District
Public School - Grades K-5 (269)
6 out of 10
James B. Davidson Middle
San Rafael City Elementary School District
Public School - Grades 6-8 (1063)
6 out of 10
School data provided by Great Schools
Lifestyle Ratings
ApartmentHomeLiving brings you comprehensive Lifestyle Ratings of neighborhoods, cities and towns, and rental properties across California including Canal Waterfront, San Rafael, and the greater San Francisco area. Lifestyle Ratings show you the best fit for your needs and interests. This takes in many factors including filtering automatically for the best outdoor access, luxury housing options, multifamily communities for the kids, raising pets, transit options, and how walkable or bikeable each community and area is. Use Lifestyle Search in the site filter options on this page - and find your Perfect place!
Getting Around the Canal Waterfront Neighborhood in San Rafael, CA
Walk Score®
76 / 100
Very Walkable
Most errands can be accomplished on foot
Bike Score®
70 / 100
Very Bikeable
Biking is convenient for most trips
Transit Score®
52 / 100
Good Transit
Many nearby public transportation options
What Are Walk Score®, Transit Score®, and Bike Score® Ratings?
- Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address.
- Transit Score® measures access to public transit.
- Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Canal Waterfront Apartments
What is a cheap apartment in Canal Waterfront?
A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in Canal Waterfront is under $2,625.
What is the price of a cheap apartment in Canal Waterfront?
The cheapest apartment in Canal Waterfront is West End Villas which is listed at $2,250, while the average apartment in Canal Waterfront costs $5,200.
What types of apartments are the cheapest in Canal Waterfront?
Student, low-income, and by-the-bed apartments are typically the cheapest rentals in most cities, though they require qualifying criteria to rent. There are 19 regular apartments in Canal Waterfront that we think qualify as ‘cheap apartments’ that do not have special requirements to apply to rent.
How do the prices of cheap apartments compare to the average apartment in Canal Waterfront?
Cheap apartments in Canal Waterfront have an average cost of $581 which is $4,619 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in Canal Waterfront.
Expert Rental Resources
Helpful Apartment Articles, How-To's and Tips
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.
A San Francisco Local Expert’s Guide to the Top Budget-Friendly Bay Area Neighborhoods to Rent
Written by: Shannon Hilson
If you’re anything like me, the thought of San Francisco is synonymous with concepts like creativity, character, and quirky local style.
Know Your Budget: Calculating What You Can Realistically Afford When Renting
Written by: Lauren Harrington
Renting an apartment or house isn’t just about looking through online ads, choosing a few apartments or homes you want to tour, filling out an application, and putting down a deposit. Those things are all necessary and important.
The Freedom of Short-Term Leases: Exploring the Advantages for Renters
Written by: Bobbi Jackson
If you’re looking to relocate right now, a popular solution that may best fit your current rental needs is a short-term lease.
Navigating the Rental Market: Tips for First-Time Renters
Written by: Sandy Baker
Making the decision to rent is exciting and terrifying at the same time. For many people, there are a lot of unknowns.