
Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Downtown San Rafael Neighborhood of San Rafael, CA from $1,200 (9 Rentals)
Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in the Downtown San Rafael area of San Rafael.


809 A St, Unit 809 A Street #2

830 Fifth Ave
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Discover the insider tips from an attorney and real estate agent on how to negotiate your next apartment lease. Find out what's on the table and what's not, so you can save money and get the best terms possible.
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Downtown San Rafael, San Rafael, CA Local Guide

How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Downtown San Rafael?
Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
---|---|---|---|
Downtown San Rafael 1 Bedroom Apartments | $2,614 | $1,649 | $3,900 |
Downtown San Rafael 2 Bedroom Apartments | $3,746 | $2,600 | $5,500 |
Downtown San Rafael 3 Bedroom Apartments | $5,250 | $5,250 | $5,250 |
Browse Apartments in this Neighborhood
There are currently 9 rentals with your search options within a 2 mile radius of the Downtown San Rafael Neighborhood of San Rafael, CA.
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Cheapest Available Downtown San Rafael Apartments for Rent
 The cheapest available apartment rental in the Downtown San Rafael area of San Francisco, CA is a 1 Bed unit found at One55 Lofts priced from $2,124. Rafael Town Center Apartments has the second lowest priced unit, which is a 1 Bed apartment currently listed from $2,545. Here are the most affordable Downtown San Rafael apartments for rent in San Francisco, CA:
Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Priced From |
---|---|---|---|
One55 Lofts | One Bedroom | 1BR,1BA | $2,124 |
Rafael Town Center Apartments | 1 Bedroom 1C | 1BR,1BA | $2,545 |
Lone Palm Court Apartments | Two bedroom | 2BR,1BA | $2,600 |
Best Value Apartments for Rent in Downtown San Rafael, CA
As of October 15, 2025 the best value apartment in the Downtown San Rafael area is the $2.74 price per square foot Two bedroom Model at Lone Palm Court Apartments in the in the East San Rafael neighborhood starting from $2,600. The second greatest value Downtown San Rafael apartment is the Two Bedroom Model at One55 Lofts starting at $2,872 with a $3.39 price per square foot in the East San Rafael neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Downtown San Rafael apartments based on price per square foot:
Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Price Per Sq.Ft. |
---|---|---|---|
Lone Palm Court Apartments | Two bedroom | 2BR,1BA | $2.74 |
One55 Lofts | Two Bedroom | 2BR,2BA | $3.39 |
West End Villas | Plan 8 | 2BR,1BA | $4.13 |
Second & B Street | Clay Plus Model | 1BR,1BA | $4.86 |
Rafael Town Center Apartments | 1 Bedroom 1C | 1BR,1BA | $4.12 |
1565 4th St, Unit 9 | 1565 4th St | 1BR,1BA | $4.17 |
Getting Around the Downtown San Rafael Neighborhood in San Rafael, CA
Walk Score®
97 / 100
Walker’s Paradise
Daily errands do not require a car
Bike Score®
72 / 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 Downtown San Rafael Apartments
What is the price of a cheap apartment in Downtown San Rafael?
The cheapest apartment in Downtown San Rafael is One55 Lofts which is listed at $2,124, while the average apartment in Downtown San Rafael costs $5,250.
What types of apartments are the cheapest in Downtown San Rafael?
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 1 regular apartments in Downtown San Rafael that we think qualify as ‘cheap apartments’ that do not have special requirements to apply to rent.
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.

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Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.
Everything is a negotiation in real estate!

The Rental Move-In Inspection Checklist: A Guide for Renters
Written by: Trey Huguley
The move-in inspection checklist is a crucial tool for both tenants and landlords. This checklist, provided by the team at ApartmentHomeLiving.com, helps document the condition of an apartment at the time of move-in.

Your Guide to Co-Signers: The Risks, Rewards, and Everything in Between
Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.
For many people, obstacles can arise during the rental application process for a variety of issues.