Cost of Living in San Rafael

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

  • Rent in San Rafael is, on average, 3.7% lower than in Los Angeles.
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) 1.37 $ 0.99-1.58
Fresh White Bread (1 lb Loaf) 3.92 $ 3.00-4.99
White Rice (1 lb) 2.94 $ 1.00-4.50
Eggs (12, Large Size) 4.87 $ 3.49-6.99
Local Cheese (1 lb) 7.79 $ 4.00-12.00
Chicken Fillets (1 lb) 6.45 $ 2.00-10.00
Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 lb) 8.36 $ 6.00-9.00
Apples (1 lb) 2.67 $ 0.89-3.00
Bananas (1 lb) 1.48 $ 0.80-2.00
Oranges (1 lb) 2.50 $ 1.10-4.00
Tomatoes (1 lb) 3.63 $ 3.00-4.00
Potatoes (1 lb) 1.75 $ 0.40-2.00
Onions (1 lb) 1.50 $ 0.35-3.00
Lettuce (1 Head) 2.78 $ 1.00-3.85
Bottled Water (50 oz) 3.10 $ 1.00-4.25
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) 13.00 $ 12.00-20.00
Domestic Beer (16.9 oz Bottle) 2.30 $ 1.73-4.29
Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) 3.54 $ 2.50-5.00
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) ?
Gasoline (1 Liter) 1.23 $ 1.15-1.32
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) 81.43 $ 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 $ 12.00-17.00
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
Edit
Jeans (Levi's 501 or Similar) 44.17 $ 30.00-60.00
Summer Dress in a Chain Store (e.g. Zara or H&M) 42.33 $ 32.00-50.00
Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) 110.17 $ 65.00-125.00
Men's Leather Business Shoes 127.50 $ 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) 5,236.67 $
Annual Mortgage Interest Rate (20-Year Fixed, in %) 6.45 6.00-7.00

Prices in San Rafael, California

This city had 68 entries in the past 12 months by 6 different contributors.
Last update: 11 February 2026
Sources and References
Salary Calculator:Got a job offer in San Rafael? Estimate your take-home pay with our Salary Calculator for San Rafael.
  
Leave a comment:

Your name: Sign In

Your email address (optional):

Your comment (no HTML):

0 Comments so far