
Cheap Apartments for Rent in San Rafael, CA from $1,200 (19 Rentals)
Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in San Rafael.


215 Bayview Apartments
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.

Marin Royal Apartments

2555 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Unit 25

Larkspur Courts
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
San Rafael, CA Local Guide

How much does it cost to rent an apartment in San Rafael?
Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
---|---|---|---|
Cheap San Rafael Studio Apartments | $2,388 | $1,950 | $2,800 |
Cheap San Rafael 1 Bedroom Apartments | $2,998 | $1,909 | $6,139 |
Cheap San Rafael 2 Bedroom Apartments | $4,113 | $2,550 | $7,249 |
Cheap San Rafael 3 Bedroom Apartments | $5,533 | $3,386 | $8,905 |
Cheap San Rafael 4 Bedroom Apartments | $5,333 | $4,200 | $6,600 |
Browse Top Apartments in San Rafael
See all Apartments in San RafaelExplore San Rafael
San Rafael, CA Local Guide

- San Rafael Neighborhoods
- Nearby Cities
- ZIP codes
- Local Counties
- School Districts
Cheapest Available San Rafael Apartments for Rent
 The cheapest available apartment rental in San Rafael, CA is a Studio unit found at 215 Bayview Apartments in the College Park neighborhood priced from $1,950. Marin Royal Apartments in the College Park neighborhood has the second lowest priced unit, which is a 1 Bed apartment currently listed from $1,999. Here is today’s list of the most affordable San Rafael apartments for rent:
Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Priced From |
---|---|---|---|
215 Bayview Apartments | Studio | Studio,1BA | $1,950 |
Marin Royal Apartments | Junior Bottom Floor | 1BR,1BA | $1,999 |
Marinian Towers Apartments | 1BR/1.0BA | 1BR,1BA | $1,999 |
Park Hill | 1x1B | 1BR,1BA | $2,120 |
Larkspur Courts | Topaz | 1BR,1BA | $2,246 |
Best Value Apartments for Rent in San Rafael, CA
As of April 27, 2025 the best value apartment in the San Rafael area is the $2.25 price per square foot 2 Bedroom 2 Bath Model at 33 North Apartments in the in the Black Canyon neighborhood starting from $4,195. The second greatest value San Rafael apartment is the 319 Prospect Dr Model at 319 Prospect Dr, Unit B starting at $5,200 with a $2.81 price per square foot in the Black Canyon neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for San Rafael apartments based on price per square foot:
Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Price Per Sq.Ft. |
---|---|---|---|
33 North Apartments | 2 Bedroom 2 Bath | 2BR,2BA | $2.25 |
319 Prospect Dr, Unit B | 319 Prospect Dr | 4BR,2.5BA | $2.81 |
Skylark Apartments | 3x2 | 3BR,2BA | $3.38 |
24 E Crescent Dr, Unit 2 | 24 E Crescent Dr | 2BR,1BA | $2.67 |
The Meridian | 3x2 Large | 3BR,2BA | $3.27 |
1224 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Unit 1222 a | 1224 Sir Francis Drake Blvd | 2BR,2BA | $3.40 |
24 La Vista Way, Unit 24 | 24 La Vista Way | 2BR,1BA | $2.90 |
Lone Palm Court Apartments | Two bedroom | 2BR,1BA | $2.74 |
Via Holon Apartments | One bedroom | 1BR,1BA | $3.09 |
Marinian Towers Apartments | 1BR/1.0BA | 1BR,1BA | $3.22 |
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.
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.
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.
Best Local Schools in San Rafael, CA
James B. Davidson Middle
School data provided by Great Schools
Remember the 3 Rules of Real Estate:Location, Location, Location!
Explore San Rafael, CA Rentals by Map
See the most popular apartments and homes in San Rafael, CA
Getting Around San Rafael, CA
Walk Score®
76 / 100
Very Walkable
Most errands can be accomplished on foot
Bike Score®
60 / 100
Bikeable
Some bike infrastructure
Transit Score®
45 / 100
Some Transit
A few 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 San Rafael Apartments
How much is rent for a Cheap One Bedroom San Rafael Apartment?
The lowest price for a Cheap One Bedroom San Rafael Apartment is $1,999 at Marinian Towers Apartments.
What is the lowest price for a Cheap Two Bedroom San Rafael Apartment for rent?
Today's best deal for a Cheap Two Bedroom Apartment in San Rafael is starting from $2,464 at Sommerhill Townhouses.
What is the most affordable San Rafael Three Bedroom Apartment?
The best deal on a cheap San Rafael Three Bedroom Apartment rental is at Marinian Towers Apartments and starts from $3,195.
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.

Understanding Amenity Fees: Know Where You Might Be Able to Save Money
Written by: Amber Kanuckel
With the rising costs of housing, a lot of renters are asking this question: Is it possible to opt out of various amenities that your rental property offers so that you can avoid paying the fees.

Rise of Digital Nomads: Remote Work Tips for Apartment Renters
Written by: Brandie Parton
As a digital nomad, you no longer call a set address or office building your home for eight hours of the day or more.

Know Your Rights - How Discrimination Laws Impact Landlords and Tenants
Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.
Everyone needs a place to live and to call home. For decades, the federal government has established protections to ensure that individuals and families can find housing free from discriminatory barriers.