Most Affordable Neighborhoods in San Rafael, CA

Some of the cheapest neighborhoods in San Rafael are Canal Waterfront, Santa Venetia, and Lincoln-San Rafael Hill. These neighborhoods offer some of the lowest rent prices in San Rafael, making them ideal for renters on a budget. As of November 26, 2024, the average rent in San Rafael is $2,162, which is 2.7% higher than last year. However, it's important to remember that rental prices can vary significantly based on factors such as location, amenities, and floor plans.

Canal Waterfront

Average Rent

$2,150/Month

Year-Over-Year Rent Change

1.2%

TransitScore® Rating

52/100

Units Available

1 Rentals

Canal Waterfront is a top choice for budget-conscious renters for a variety of reasons. The average rent in Canal Waterfront is $2,150 while the city average is $2,162. This is a 1.2% difference from last year. Residents enjoy convenient access to Harbor Shopping Center, Baltimore Canyon Open Space, and UC San Francisco, Mount Zion. The neighborhood is considered walkable with a WalkScore® of 76.

Santa Venetia

Average Rent

$2,150/Month

Year-Over-Year Rent Change

1.5%

TransitScore® Rating

0/100

Units Available

1 Rentals

When you’re looking for a great San Rafael neighborhood on a budget, check out Santa Venetia. The average rent is $2,150, compared to the city average of $2,162. Rent prices have increased by 1.5%. Santa Venetia is convenient to Jefferson And Taylor, Hyde And Beach, and Metro Oakland International. The community is car-dependent with a WalkScore® of 31.

Lincoln-San Rafael Hill

Average Rent

$2,181/Month

Year-Over-Year Rent Change

0.9%

TransitScore® Rating

49/100

Units Available

7 Rentals

Lincoln-San Rafael Hill is an affordable neighborhood in San Rafael with an average rent price of $2,181. Compare this to the city average of $2,162. In the past year, rent prices have increased by 0.9%. Lincoln-San Rafael Hill provides easy access to West End Shopping Center, Shamrock Center, and Contra Costa College. It’s a somewhat walkable neighborhood with a WalkScore® of 68.

Domincan-Black Canyon

Average Rent

$2,231/Month

TransitScore® Rating

41/100

Units Available

7 Rentals

If you’re looking for a great, affordable neighborhood in San Rafael, Domincan-Black Canyon might be the perfect place! It has an average rent price of $2,231, while the city’s average stands at $2,162. Domincan-Black Canyon is near Academy of Art University, Rafael Town Center, and McNear's Beach County Park.

Sun Valley

Average Rent

$2,372/Month

Year-Over-Year Rent Change

1.9%

TransitScore® Rating

32/100

Units Available

4 Rentals

Sun Valley is a top choice for budget-conscious renters for a variety of reasons. The average rent in Sun Valley is $2,372 while the city average is $2,162. This is a -1.9% difference from last year. Residents enjoy convenient access to Baltimore Canyon Open Space, San Francisco International, and Metro Oakland International. The neighborhood is considered walkable with a WalkScore® of 70.

West End

Average Rent

$2,372/Month

Year-Over-Year Rent Change

3.5%

TransitScore® Rating

27/100

Units Available

4 Rentals

When you’re looking for a great San Rafael neighborhood on a budget, check out West End. The average rent is $2,372, compared to the city average of $2,162. Rent prices have decreased by 3.5%. West End is convenient to San Francisco International, Rafael Town Center, and Metro Oakland International. The community is walkable with a WalkScore® of 74.

Montecito-Happy Valley

Average Rent

$2,450/Month

Year-Over-Year Rent Change

1.5%

TransitScore® Rating

55/100

Units Available

1 Rentals

Montecito-Happy Valley is an affordable neighborhood in San Rafael with an average rent price of $2,450. Compare this to the city average of $2,162. In the past year, rent prices have increased by 1.5%. Montecito-Happy Valley provides easy access to WildCare, Baltimore Canyon Open Space, and UC San Francisco, Mount Zion. It’s a walkable neighborhood with a WalkScore® of 89.

California Park

Average Rent

$2,590/Month

TransitScore® Rating

5/100

Units Available

1 Rentals

If you’re looking for a great, affordable neighborhood in San Rafael, California Park might be the perfect place! It has an average rent price of $2,590, while the city’s average stands at $2,162. California Park is near Hal Brown Park at Creekside, Richmond Station, and WildCare.

Smith Ranch

Average Rent

$2,614/Month

Year-Over-Year Rent Change

5.4%

TransitScore® Rating

39/100

Units Available

19 Rentals

Smith Ranch is a top choice for budget-conscious renters for a variety of reasons. The average rent in Smith Ranch is $2,614 while the city average is $2,162. This is a 5.4% difference from last year. Residents enjoy convenient access to China Camp State Park, Jefferson And Taylor, and WildCare. The neighborhood is considered somewhat walkable with a WalkScore® of 51.

Terra Linda

Average Rent

$2,702/Month

Year-Over-Year Rent Change

1.3%

TransitScore® Rating

41/100

Units Available

5 Rentals

When you’re looking for a great San Rafael neighborhood on a budget, check out Terra Linda. The average rent is $2,702, compared to the city average of $2,162. Rent prices have increased by 1.3%. Terra Linda is convenient to Dominican Univ. of Ca, Loma Alta Preserve, and University of San Francisco. The community is somewhat walkable with a WalkScore® of 67.

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Methodology

Transit Score measures access to public transit. Scores range from 0 (minimal transit) to 100 (rider’s paradise). Learn more about the Transit Score methodology. Rental data is sourced from CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As a leading authority in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar performs in-depth research to build and sustain an extensive database of commercial real estate insights.

We've combined this data with public records to provide the most current rental information available.