Cost of Living in San Rafael

Summary of cost of living in San Rafael, CA, United States:

  • The estimated monthly costs for a family of four are $5,710.7, excluding rent (using our estimator).
  • The estimated monthly costs for a single person are $1,556.7, excluding rent.
  • San Rafael is 3.6% more expensive than Seattle (excluding rent, see our cost of living index).
  • Rent in San Rafael is, on average, 9.3% higher than in Seattle.
Restaurants
Edit Range
Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant $34.00 25.00-60.00
Meal for Two at a Mid-Range Restaurant (Three Courses, Without Drinks) $100.00 75.00-120.00
Combo Meal at McDonald's (or Equivalent Fast-Food Meal) $15.00 15.00-15.00
Domestic Draft Beer (1 Pint) $8.00 3.00-8.00
Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) $7.00 7.00-12.00
Cappuccino (Regular Size) $4.75 2.50-5.50
Soft Drink (Coca-Cola or Pepsi, 12 oz Small Bottle) $3.00 3.00-3.00
Bottled Water (12 oz) $3.00 3.00-3.00
Markets
Edit
Milk (Regular, 1 Liter) $1.46 1.22-1.59
Fresh White Bread (1 lb Loaf) $4.07 3.00-6.00
White Rice (1 lb) $3.81 1.00-4.50
Eggs (12, Large Size) $5.55 3.60-7.00
Local Cheese (1 lb) $9.95 4.00-14.00
Chicken Fillets (1 lb) $7.47 3.90-10.00
Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 lb) $8.62 7.80-10.00
Apples (1 lb) $3.37 0.89-4.00
Bananas (1 lb) $1.48 0.80-2.00
Oranges (1 lb) $3.08 1.10-4.00
Tomatoes (1 lb) $3.88 3.00-4.00
Potatoes (1 lb) $1.88 0.40-4.00
Onions (1 lb) $1.63 0.35-3.00
Lettuce (1 Head) $2.96 1.00-3.85
Bottled Water (50 oz) $3.12 2.00-4.25
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) $13.50 12.00-20.00
Domestic Beer (16.9 oz Bottle) $2.20 1.73-3.03
Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) $3.37 2.50-4.00
Cigarettes (Pack of 20, Marlboro) $11.00 11.00-11.00
Transportation
Edit
One-Way Ticket (Local Transport) $2.00 1.00-3.00
Monthly Public Transport Pass (Regular Price) $65.00 30.00-100.00
Taxi Start (Standard Tariff) $4.00
Taxi 1 mile (Standard Tariff) $7.00
Taxi 1 Hour Waiting (Standard Tariff) $29.00
Gasoline (1 Liter) $1.34 1.15-1.60
Volkswagen Golf 1.5 (or Equivalent New Compact Car) $32,500.00 30,000.00-35,000.00
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6 (or Equivalent New Mid-Size Car) $40,000.00
Utilities (Monthly)
Edit
Basic Utilities for 915 Square Feet Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) $244.00 100.00-500.00
Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data) $84.25 43.00-110.00
Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher) $70.00 50.00-100.00
Sports And Leisure
Edit
Monthly Fitness Club Membership $121.67 50.00-250.00
Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend) $30.00 20.00-40.00
Cinema Ticket (International Release) $14.00 13.00-17.00
Childcare
Edit
Private Full-Day Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly Fee per Child $2,500.00 2,000.00-3,000.00
International Primary School, Annual Tuition per Child $55,000.00
Clothing And Shoes
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Jeans (Levi's 501 or Similar) $43.75 16.00-80.00
Summer Dress in a Chain Store (e.g. Zara or H&M) $42.33 32.00-50.00
Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) $100.20 60.00-140.00
Men's Leather Business Shoes $128.75 95.00-155.00
Rent Per Month
Edit
1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre $3,366.67 2,800.00-4,500.00
1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre $3,200.00 2,400.00-3,800.00
3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre $4,020.00 3,500.00-4,500.00
3 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre $3,340.00 3,000.00-5,000.00
Buy Apartment Price
Edit
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre $699.99
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre $500.00
Salaries And Financing
Edit
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) $5,400.00
Annual Mortgage Interest Rate (20-Year Fixed, in %) 6.56 6.00-8.50

Prices in San Rafael, California

This city had 92 entries in the past 12 months by 8 different contributors.
Last update: 5 June 2026
Sources and References
Distribution of Expenses Using Our Statistical Model:
Salary Calculator:Got a job offer in San Rafael? Estimate your take-home pay with our Salary Calculator for San Rafael.
  
  
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