Livability Score

66
/100
i The AreaVibes Livability Score evaluates 9 different categories and creates an overall score out of 100. The higher the score, the better the area.

amenities F

There are not many amenities close to this location.
Coffee (14) F
Peet's Coffee
Coffee Shop
Sharetea
Coffee Shop
Seattle's Best Expresso
Coffee Shop
Double Rainbow
Coffee Shop
Starbucks
Coffee Shop
Weaver's Coffee
Coffee Shop
Quickly
Coffee Shop
Royal Ground Coffee
Coffee Shop
Banh Mi Zon
Coffee Shop
Nova Rosti
Coffee Shop
Mojay's Cafe
Coffee Shop
Starbucks
Coffee Shop
Peet's Coffee
Coffee Shop
The Bay Cafe
Coffee Shop
Bagel Street Cafe
Coffee Shop
Jelly Donuts
Coffee Shop
Starbucks
Coffee Shop
Java Hub
Coffee Shop
Cafe Ross
Coffee Shop
Gelato San Anselmo
Coffee Shop
Marin Coffee Roasters
Coffee Shop
Viz Bistro
Coffee Shop
u-top it
Coffee Shop
Comforts
Coffee Shop
The San Anselmo Coffee Roastery
Coffee Shop
Entertainment (10) F
Forest Meadows Amphitheater
Theatre Arts
Country Club Bowl
Bowling Alley
Marin County Historical Society Museum
Museum
Rafael Cinema
Cinema
Amphitheater
Theatre Arts
Showcase Theatre
Theatre Arts
Bartolini Gallery
Museum
Marin Veterans' Memorial Auditorium
Theatre Arts
Cinemark Century Larkspur
Cinema
Century Cinema Northgate
Cinema
Giant Picnic Table
Attraction
China Camp Historic Area
Attraction
Slide House
Attraction
China Camp State Park Museum
Museum
Unknown Name
Theatre Arts
Marin Art & Garden Center, Ross
Attraction
Century Regency 6 Theater
Cinema
Lark Theater
Cinema
Century Cinema Corte Madera
Cinema
Dixie Schoolhouse
Museum
Food and Drink (27) F
Chipotle
Fast Food
Terrapin Crossroads
Bar
Taco Bell
Fast Food
KFC
Fast Food
Unknown Name
Fast Food
Cold Stone Creamery
Sweets
State Room
Bar
Burger King
Fast Food
Belli-Deli
Deli
Subway
Fast Food
The Mayflower Pub
Bar
Mike's Sourdough
Deli
Micheal’s Sourdough Sandwiches
Fast Food
El Pollo Loco
Fast Food
Jack in the Box
Fast Food
McDonald's
Fast Food
A&W
Fast Food
Pond Farm Brewing Company
Bar
McDonald's
Fast Food
Shake Shack
Fast Food
Sbarro
Fast Food
Jamba
Fast Food
Subway
Fast Food
Noah's Bagels
Fast Food
Loving Cup
Sweets
Fitness (3) F
San Rafael Barbell
Gym
San Rafael Community Center
Community Centre
Osher Marin Jewish Community Center
Community Centre
SoulCycle
Gym
Yoga Works
Gym
24 Hour Fitness
Gym
Orangetheory Fitness
Gym
The Bar Method
Gym
The Spahr Center
Community Centre
Fitness SF
Gym
Isabel Cook Recreation Center
Community Centre
Terra Linda Community Center
Community Centre
Corte Madera Community Center
Community Centre
Unknown Name
Gym
Groceries (16) F
Whole Foods Market
Grocery Store
Jasmine Market Mediterranean Groceries
Grocery Store
Trader Joe's
Grocery Store
United Markets
Grocery Store
Arizmendi Bakery
Bakery
Sprouts Farmers Market
Grocery Store
Andy's Local Market
Grocery Store
Cardenas Markets
Grocery Store
Safeway
Grocery Store
Bordenave's French Bread
Bakery
Smart & Final
Grocery Store
Lotus Chaat and Spices
Grocery Store
Andy's Sun Valley Market
Grocery Store
Rustic Bakery
Bakery
Belcampo Butchery
Butcher
Saturday Farmers Market
Grocery Store
United Market
Grocery Store
SusieCakes
Bakery
Victoria Bakery and Cafe
Bakery
Mollie Stone's
Grocery Store
Safeway
Grocery Store
Trader Joe's
Grocery Store
M.H. Bread & Butter
Bakery
Bolinas ave Market & Liquor
Grocery Store
Andronico's Community Market
Grocery Store
Parks (61) F
Harry A Barbier Memorial Park
Park
Dominican Nature Preserve
Park
Pickleweed Park Playground
Playground
Pickleweed Park
Park
Pickleweed Park
Park
Beach Park
Park
Schoen Park Playground
Playground
Schoen Park
Park
Schoen Park
Park
Boyd Memorial Park
Park
Mountain Park
Park
Unknown Name
Park
Victor Jones Park
Park
Albert Park
Park
Unknown Name
Playground
Unknown Name
Playground
China Camp State Park
Park
Unknown Name
Playground
Bret Harte Park
Park
Unknown Name
Playground
Los Ranchitos Park
Park
Unknown Name
Playground
Lagoon Park Playground
Playground
Lagoon Park
Park
Gerstle Park
Park
Shops (64) D-
ExtraMile
Convenience Store
Supercuts
Hairdresser
Montecito Nails
Beauty
Sprint
Electronics
Chevron
Convenience Store
Valero
Convenience Store
Mad Rags
Clothing
Petco
Pets
Ladybug Salon and Supply
Hairdresser
Shell
Convenience Store
Mike's Bikes
Bicycle
AT&T
Electronics
Marin Cellular
Electronics
Rafael Florist
Florist
JWskin Electrolysis
Beauty
Best Buy
Electronics
Eighteen Eight
Hairdresser
Verizon
Electronics
TJ Maxx
Department Store
Video Only
Electronics
Renew Computers
Electronics
Metro by T-Mobile
Electronics
Diamond Sports Cards
Furniture
Rafael Jewelers
Fashion
Circle K
Convenience Store
See more San Rafael amenity data

commute A+

Of all people who commute, 12.0% take public transportation in San Rafael.
Public Transit Stops (146)
Stops & Stations A+
Grand Avenue & Acacia Avenue
Bus Stop
Grand Avenue & Acacia Avenue
Bus Stop
Grand Avenue & Mountain View Avenue
Bus Stop
Grand Avenue & Mountain View Avenue
Bus Stop
Grand Avenue & Jewell Street
Bus Stop
Grand Avenue & Jewell Street
Bus Stop
Grand Avenue & Belle Avenue
Bus Stop
Grand Avenue & Belle Avenue
Bus Stop
Grand Avenue & Linden Lane
Bus Stop
Grand Avenue & Linden Lane
Bus Stop
Union Street & Mission Avenue
Bus Stop
Mission Avenue & Mary Street
Bus Stop
Mission Avenue & Mary Street
Bus Stop
Lincoln Avenue & Paloma Avenue
Bus Stop
Lincoln Avenue & Linden Lane
Bus Stop
Union Street & 4th Street
Bus Stop
Lincoln Avenue & Paloma Avenue
Bus Stop
Lincoln Avenue & Linden Lane
Bus Stop
3rd Street & Grand Avenue
Bus Stop
Villa Avenue & Myrtle Avenue
Bus Stop
Villa Avenue & Myrtle Avenue
Bus Stop
Lincoln Avenue & Grand Avenue
Bus Stop
Canal Street & Sonoma Street
Bus Stop
Canal Street & Sonoma Street
Bus Stop
Lincoln Avenue & Grand Avenue
Bus Stop
Workers Taking Public Transit
12.0% B+
See more San Rafael commute data

cost of living F

The cost of living in San Rafael is 192/100 - which is 37% higher than California.
Cost of Living
Goods & Services, Housing, etc. F
Tax Rates
Income & Sales Tax F
See more San Rafael cost of living data

crime D-

San Rafael crime rates are 3,659 per 100k, which is 42% higher than California
Property Crime
3,268 crimes per 100k F
Violent Crime
391 crimes per 100k C-
See more San Rafael crime data

employment A+

The median income in San Rafael is $81,360 - which is 28% higher than California.
Med. Household Income
$81,360 A+
Unemployment Rate
4.0% D+
See more San Rafael employment data

health B+

There are not many hospitals, police and fire stations,
Health & Safety (13)
Dentist, Doctor, Hospital, etc. D-
CVS Pharmacy
Pharmacy
Rite Aid
Pharmacy
San Rafael Dentistry
Dentist
Walgreens
Pharmacy
Central Fire Station
Fire Station
San Rafael Fire Station #4
Fire Station
San Rafael Fire Station 57
Fire Station
Timothy G. Bricca DDS
Dentist
Rite Aid
Pharmacy
Larkspur Fire Department Station 16
Fire Station
One Medical
Doctor
CVS Pharmacy
Pharmacy
Marin Health Medical Center
Hospital
Kentfield Fire District
Fire Station
Walgreens
Pharmacy
Ross Fire Station #18
Fire Station
Kaiser Permanente
Clinic
Alan S. Cascio
Dentist
Kaiser Permanente San Rafael Medical Center
Hospital
Jack's Drug Store
Pharmacy
Haney Orthodontics
Dentist
Ross Valley Fire Headquarters
Fire Station
Walgreens
Pharmacy
Magnolia Family Dentistry
Dentist
CVS Pharmacy
Pharmacy
Air Quality
Median Air Quality A-
See more San Rafael health & safety data

housing C

San Rafael home prices are $758,600 - which is 85% higher than California
Home Price
$758,600 A+
Home Appreciation Rate
9% A-
Home Affordability
9.3x (home price to income ratio) F
See more San Rafael housing data

schools C-

The San Rafael graduation rate is 84% - which is 6% higher than California
School Test Scores
48% F
High School Grad. Rates
84% C
Elementary Schools (26) F
Coleman Elementary School
San Pedro Elementary School
Bahia Vista Elementary School
James B. Davidson Middle
Glenwood Elementary School
Brandeis Marin
Laurel Dell Elementary School
Venetia Valley K-8
Gallinas Elementary School
Short Elementary School
Old Gallinas
Sun Valley Elementary School
Anthony G. Bacich Elementary School
Adaline E. Kent Middle
Vallecito Elementary School
Oak Hill School
San Anselmo Montessori School
Ross Elementary School
St Anselm School
Mark Day School
Hall Middle
Star Academy
Marin County Special Education
Marin'S Community
Fusion Academy Marin
High Schools (14) F
Madrone High Continuation
San Rafael High
Marin Academy
Marin Catholic High School
Terra Linda High
Oak Hill School
Redwood High
Tamiscal High (Alternative)
Star Academy
Marin County Special Education
Phoenix Academy
Marin'S Community
Fusion Academy Marin
Marin County Rop
Fusion Academy - Marin
San Andreas High (Continuation)
The Branson School
Sir Francis Drake High
Timothy Murphy School
See more San Rafael education data

ratings D-

San Rafael has an overall rating of 53% from 18 reviews.
User Reviews (2)
From AreaVibes F
User Surveys (16)
From AreaVibes B-
See more San Rafael user rating data
Amenities Commute Cost of Living Crime Employment Health & Safety Housing Schools User Ratings

San Rafael, CA Area Guide

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Photo of San Rafael, CA
( 18 Reviews)

Living in San Rafael, CA

Ranks better than 66% of areas Follow

San Rafael Area Facts

  • San Rafael has a Livability Score of 66/100, which is considered good
  • San Rafael crime rates are 42% higher than the California average
  • Cost of living in San Rafael is 37% higher than the California average

What do the locals think about San Rafael?

Based on 16 votes from AreaVibes users. Take the poll

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How Do You Rate The Livability In San Rafael?

1. Select a livability score between 1-100
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Awful25
Poor50
Average75
Good100
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2. Select any tags that apply to this area
View results
Unhappy in SR 0.5 rating By Anonymous ( Dec 27, 2019) We’ve been in San Rafael for nearly eight years and have really struggled to feel at home and to feel safe in this community. To be fair, we live in the downtown area where there are a lot of urban problems. For example, the house to our north was a meth lab and blew up killing ...Read More its occupants. We’ve had so many incidents in our area where police had to be called. From addicts coming to our door high on meth to thieves hiding from police in our backyard. My wife and I have lived in NYC and San Francisco and have never had so many problems with crime. We’ve searched for a sense of community here but never found it. People are not very friendly and there’s an air of entitlement among many of its wealthy residents. We are leaving San Rafael in a week and there’s no love lost here. Good luck! Read Less
San Rafael, CA - Affordable & Beautiful 4 rating By Anonymous ( Jan 30, 2012) I have lived in the San Rafael City for most of my life, and I have seen tourists come in and go out. I love it here, and I do not imagine that any of the tourists have any complaints on their way through. The area is affordable, beautiful, and the community is not at all dangero ...Read More us. We have some of the most top rated hotels to stay in, so you know you will be a guest in luxury. They are also pet friendly which means you're able to bring the whole family if you would like. The neighborhood I live in also has some of the best fine dining restaurants that you will ever eat at. The Crepevine is one of my favorites.

When it comes to hanging out, I like bringing my family and friends down to Classic Billiards. It is a wonderful hang out spot with beer, good food, great music and wonderful people that are friendly. Beaches are right around the corner with grills, picnic tables and beautiful, soft, white sand for your toes to indulge in. I love it here. Since the sun is almost always shining, I grab my friends and we can go shopping down one or all of the strips that we have.

You're definitely not going to leave here without bringing home a souvenir or two since there are so many shops. If you like to shop, then this is well worth it. You can then stop and have some lunch at one of our small cafes or large restaurants depending on how hungry you are. I cannot imagine leaving this wonderful city. I don't think I ever want too. Come for a stay and find out just how great it is. Read Less
Show All Reviews

F Amenities

Are there many local amenities in San Rafael? Well, there are not many amenities close to this location.

Parks

Harry A Barbier Memorial Park
Dominican Nature Preserve
Pickleweed Park Playground
Pickleweed Park
Pickleweed Park
Beach Park
Schoen Park Playground
Schoen Park

Entertainment

Forest Meadows Amphitheater
Country Club Bowl
Marin County Historical Society Museum
Rafael Cinema
Amphitheater
Showcase Theatre
Bartolini Gallery
Marin Veterans' Memorial Auditorium

Food & Drink

Chipotle
Terrapin Crossroads
Taco Bell
KFC
Unknown Name
Cold Stone Creamery
State Room
Burger King

A+ Commute

Is public transit available in San Rafael? Of all people who commute, 12.0% take public transportation in San Rafael.
Drive to Work
62%

14% lower than the US average

Take Public Transit
12%

7% higher than the US average

Walk to Work
4%

1% higher than the US average

F Cost of Living

What is the cost of living in San Rafael? The cost of living in San Rafael is 192/100 - which is 37% higher than California.
San Rafael
192

92% more expensive than average

California
140

40% more expensive than average

United States
100

National cost of living index

D- Crime

What is the crime rate in San Rafael? San Rafael crime rates are 3,659, which are 42% higher than California
Total Crime
3,659 per 100k people

56% higher than the US average

Chance of being a victim
1 in 28

56% higher than the US average

Year-over-year crime
12%

Year over year crime is up

A+ Employment

What is the median income in San Rafael? The median income in San Rafael is $81,360 which is 28% higher than California.
Median household income
$81,36047% higher than the US average
Income per capita
$49,92967% higher than the US average
Unemployment rate
4%

15% lower than the US average

A- Health & Safety

Is San Rafael a healthy and safe place to live? Yes, there are some hospitals, police and fire stations.

Hospitals

Kaiser Permanente San Rafael Medical Center

Pharmacies

Walgreens
Rite Aid
Rite Aid
CVS Pharmacy
Walgreens

Doctors

C Housing

What are San Rafael home prices? San Rafael home prices are $758,600 - which is 85% higher than California
Median home value
$758,600311% higher than the US average
Median rent price
$1,62872% higher than the US average
Home Ownership
53%

17% lower than the US average

C- Schools

Does San Rafael have good schools? The San Rafael graduation rate is 84% - which is 6% higher than California
High school grad. rates
84%

2% higher than the US average

School test scores
48%

1% lower than the US average

Student teacher ratio
18:1

12% higher than the US average

D- User Ratings

Is San Rafael a good place to live? San Rafael has an overall rating of 53% from 18 reviews.
Overall user rating
53%

18 total ratings

User reviews rating
45%

2 total reviews

User surveys rating
71%

16 total surveys

Compare San Rafael, CA Livability

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