Thinking of Moving to San Rafael, CA [🚚]|ULTIMATE Living in San Rafael
San Rafael, CA is a western city in the state of California, located in Marin County and off the San Francisco Bay. San Rafael is about 19 miles north of San Francisco and 22 miles northwest of Oakland. San Rafael was founded in 1817 by the Spanish when Mission San Rafael Arcangel was established by Vincente Francisco de Sarria. The city was officially incorporated in 1874.
Population & Demographics
The 2019 population of San Rafael was 58,775. San Rafael is a diverse place to live, with a demographic breakdown of 57% White, 31% Hispanic, 6.66% Asian and 1.3% Black or African American. Married couples account for 47.7% of households in San Rafael, and 57% of homes in San Rafael house families. Wondering if San Rafael is a safe place to live? Total crime in San Rafael is 3.6% lower than the national average.
San Rafael, CA Cost of Living
If you’re thinking about moving, you are probably wondering how far your money will go in San Rafael. Is San Rafael affordable? Of course, this will depend on your salary potential and lifestyle, but overall, San Rafael is 59% higher than the national average! A lot of that is due to housing—in San Rafael, housing is 163% higher than the national average. Transportation in San Rafael is 34% higher than the national average, and groceries are 29% more expensive in San Rafael as the national average.
In San Rafael, the homeownership rate is 50%, which is much lower than the national average of 64.1%. Estimated median sale price for a home in San Rafael is $1,435,000 which is an increase of 15.7% since last year! Homes in San Rafael are selling in about 28 days on the market. Click to see what’s going on with the San Rafael real estate market. In San Rafael, approximately 45% of people rent their homes. The average rent cost in San Rafael is $2223 a month, which is nearly $1000 more than the national average of $1302.
San Rafael, CA Weather
San Rafael’s climate is considered to be Mediterranean, which means it has warm summers and mild winters. On average, San Rafael sees about 32.16 inches a year of precipitation, usually from November to April. The average low temperature in January is 42 and the average high temperature in July is 80.
Things to Do in San Rafael, CA
There are plenty of recreational options for the residents of San Rafael. Here are some of San Rafael’s residents’ favorite places to go:
Marin County Civic Center
Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, the Marin County Civic Center offers public and private tours given by the most-informed docents. Come see the iconic blue roof, custom furniture built by inmates at San Quentin, and even the private balcony!
3501 Civic Center Dr, San Rafael, CA 94903
China Camp State Park
On the grounds of an old Chinese fishing settlement, China Camp State Park includes over 1,500 acres of hiking trails, beaches and picnic grounds. Not a bad way to spend an afternoon!
101 Peacock Gap Trl., San Rafael, CA 94901
Additional Things to Do in and around San Rafael
• Marin County Farmers Market – San Rafael
• Wild Care
• Museum of International Propaganda
San Rafael, CA Restaurants
There are many great restaurant options living in San Rafael. Here are a few of the best rated places San Rafael residents love to dine:
Il Davide
Well-established as one of Marin County’s best Italian restaurants, Il Davide attracts people of all ages and backgrounds looking for good, authentic Italian food. It’s neighborhood spot makes everyone feel welcome.
901 A Street, San Rafael, CA 94901
Lotus Cuisine of India
A certified green business, Lotus Cuisine of India serves the finest organic Indian cuisine. Lotus Cuisine of India only uses the finest ingredients available, and uses local ingredients as often as possible.
812 4th St., San Rafael, CA 94901
San Rafael, CA Map
See what San Rafael has to offer by checking out the map below.
San Rafael, CA Statistics & Information
San Rafael is the county seat of Marin County. San Rafael’s zip codes are 94901, 94903, 94912, 94913 and 94915. The elevation of San Rafael, CA is 43 feet. San Rafael is in the Pacific Standard Time Zone. The area of San Rafael is 22.51 square miles.
Jobs in San Rafael, CA
The median household income in San Rafael is $91,742 per year. Great news – salaries in San Rafael increased by 9.92% from 2018 to 2019. The most popular jobs in San Rafael are management occupations, sales & related occupations and office & administrative support occupations. The biggest industries that employ San Rafael residents are professional, scientific & technical services, health care & social assistance and retail trade. About 12.2% of San Rafael residents live below the poverty line, which is very close to the national average of 12.3%. The demographic most affected by poverty in San Rafael is women between the ages of 35 and 44.
The average commute time in San Rafael is about 26.5 minutes, which is just above the national average of 25.5 minutes. Nearly 64% of San Rafael residents choose to drive alone to work rather than carpool, and most San Rafael households own two cars. Will you be working in San Francisco and living in San Rafael? Your commute will be a breeze! Click here to see what the 18.2 mile drive from San Rafael to San Francisco will be like.
Looking for employment in the San Rafael area? Click here to check out what is currently listed in San Rafael on Indeed.com. Would you prefer to work for a municipality? If you would rather be employed by the City of San Rafael they are hiring! Click here to see what positions are currently available.
Schools in San Rafael, CA
San Rafael is served by San Rafael City Schools. The top-rated schools in San Rafael are Dixie Elementary School, Sun Valley Elementary School and Terra Linda High School. If parents prefer to send their children to private or parochial school, there are 64 in San Rafael. Students will also have access to the San Rafael Public Library system.
Living in San Rafael Pros & Cons
• Pro: Pleasant Year-Round Weather
• Pro: Low Crime Rate
• Con: High Cost of Living
Moving to San Rafael? Hire San Rafael’s best rated professional moving company to ensure an easy transition! Give North Bay Moving & Storage a call today at 415-479-5515 to discuss your move!