San Rafael 66 Good
San Rafael Livability #346 ranked city in California#10,854 ranked city in the USARanks better than 62% of areas

Pros and Cons of Living in San Rafael

PROS
  • Commute

    The high commute score in this area could imply easy access to public transportation, as well as shorter-than-average commute times to your workplace.

  • Employment

    With higher than average median household income, income per capita and lower unemployment rates, this area scores extremely well in the employment category.

  • Health & Safety

    Accessible health facilities like hospitals, doctors offices, clinics and nursing homes as well as good air quality are all factors that have led to a high score in this category.

CONS
  • Amenities

    The majority of amenities will be difficult to reach within a short walk, often requiring residents to use a vehicle or public transportation for access.

  • Cost Of Living

    This area is known for its high cost of living, which means you should anticipate higher costs for everyday goods and services, housing, groceries, and health care.

  • Crime

    Reporting high crime rates per 100,000 people, this area may be perceived as an unsafe place to reside. These statistics encompass both violent and property crime rates.

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What's it like Living in San Rafael?

San Rafael is a moderately-sized city located in the state of California. The city has a population of 59,178 residents. In San Rafael, there are 3,568 people per square mile, which is well above the national population density average. According to the most recent Census, 66% of San Rafael residents are White, 7% Asian and 1% Black. Additionally, more than a quarter of the population of San Rafael are of Hispanic or Latino origin, and 24% of the population also speak Spanish. Long travel times to work can be one of the most frustrating things in the world - right behind housework! If you decide that living in San Rafael is the right fit for you, your one way commute time will average 28 minutes, which is about average when compared to the national commute time of 26 minutes.

Whether you’re relocating to a new area to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in San Rafael could be a positive experience compared to other cities in California if you know where to look. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. With useful information like crime, cost of living, health & safety, housing and other key data points, finding the best places to live in San Rafael and in the areas around San Rafael is a much easier task.

San Rafael, CA receives 65/100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #384 in California and #10,599 in the USA. There is at least one category that does not have great scores in San Rafael. The following was graded with a discouraging score: amenities (F), crime (D-), cost of living (F) and education (D-).

Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in San Rafael. Before you determine if any of these amenities are available in the area, you will also want to know if the real estate prices in San Rafael are affordable. Median real estate prices in San Rafael come in at $975,500, which is 138.3% higher than the California average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In San Rafael, the home price to income ratio is 10.1, which is 57.8% higher than the California average.

Best Places to Live in and Around San Rafael

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How Do You Rate The Livability In San Rafael?

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Compare San Rafael, CA Livability

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      San Rafael transportation information

      Statistic San Rafael California National
      Average one way commute28min28min26min
      Workers who drive to work61.5%73.5%76.4%
      Workers who carpool9.1%10.6%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit8.2%5.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.9%1.1%0.6%
      Workers who walk4.4%2.7%2.8%
      Working from home14.7%5.4%4.6%
      Source: The San Rafael, CA data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).