About Assisted LivingAssisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.Complete guide to assisted livingBest of 2025 Assisted Living Winners
About Memory CareMemory care facilities provide housing, care, and therapies for seniors who have Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia in an environment designed to reduce confusion and prevent wandering. Complete guide to memory careBest of 2025 Memory Care Winners
About Independent LivingIndependent living facilities offer convenient, hassle-free living in a social environment for seniors who are active, healthy, and able to live on their own.Complete guide to independent livingBest of 2025 Independent Living Winners
About Senior LivingSenior living is a term used to describe various housing and care options for older adults from maintenance-free, 55+ facilities for active seniors, to secure, fully staffed facilities for seniors with Alzheimer's or dementia. Complete guide to senior livingFind senior living facilities near you
About Nursing HomesNursing homes provide short-and long-term care for seniors who have physical or mental health conditions that require 24-hour nursing and personal care.Complete guide to Nursing Homes
About Senior ApartmentsSenior apartments offer accessible, no-frills living for seniors who are generally active, healthy, and able to live on their own.Complete guide to Senior Apartments
About Care HomesResidential care homes are shared neighborhood homes for seniors who need a live-in caregiver to assist with activities of daily living, like dressing and bathing.Complete guide to care homes
Veteran ResourcesVA benefits for long-term care, such as Aid and Attendance benefits, can help eligible veterans and their surviving spouses pay for senior care.Guide to VA benefits for long-term care
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10 Best Independent Living Communities in San Rafael, CA

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If you’re looking for independent living in the San Rafael area, our local senior living advisors can help you each step of the way. From affordable independent living for seniors to luxury options, we’ll work with you to understand the cost of independent living in San Rafael. From there, we’ll show you the best independent living communities for your lifestyle, interests, and budget.

Discover unique independent living amenities, social activities, dining, and more independent living benefits. With 33 independent living facilities in San Rafael, A Place for Mom makes it easier to find your new, maintenance-free home.

We are also serving Assisted Living facilities in surrounding neighborhoods like Dogtown, West Oakland and Longfellow.
You may also consider nearby communities such as San Francisco, Berkeley and Oakland.

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top3CommunitiesWithLinks: Drake Terrace, Atria Tamalpais Creek and Deer Park Retirement Community
zipAveragecost: $5,155

San Rafael Independent Living Facilities | 140 Reviews

Showing 28 communities
Last Updated: 12/24/25
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Photo of Visalia Place (CLOSED)
Provides: Assisted Living
Care types provided by this community
Assisted Living: Assisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.
Photo of Seniors Villa
Provides: Independent Living
Care types provided by this community
Independent Living: Independent living facilities offer convenient, hassle-free living in a social environment for seniors who are active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
Photo of Richmond Post Acute Care
Provides: Independent Living
Care types provided by this community
Independent Living: Independent living facilities offer convenient, hassle-free living in a social environment for seniors who are active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
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  • Compare local facilities
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Cost of independent living in San Rafael, CA

The average cost of senior living in San Rafael is $5,155 per month. Cheaper nearby regions include Lucas Valley-Marinwood, CA with an average of $5,024 per month.

Independent living costs in San Rafael, CA, vs. nearby cities

San Rafael, CA
$5,155/mo
$5,152/mo

Independent living costs in San Rafael, CA, vs. state and national averages

San Rafael, CA
$5,155/mo
U.S. national average
$4,016/mo

Independent living costs in San Rafael, CA, vs. other senior living options

$5,758/mo
Independent Living
$5,155/mo

Independent living costs in San Rafael, CA, by floor plan type

Semi-Private
$6,996/mo
Studio
$6,534/mo
1 Bedroom
$7,088/mo
2 Bedroom
$9,135/mo

Senior living costs in San Rafael vs. state and national costs

Cost comparison table showing community type costs by location. This table contains 3 rows of data across 4 columns.
Column communityType: Community type
Column destination: San Rafael, CA
Column state: California
Column national: U.S.
Community typeSan Rafael, CACaliforniaU.S.
Independent Living$5,155/mo$4,504/mo$4,016/mo
Assisted Living$4,597/mo$4,369/mo$4,558/mo
Memory Care$5,758/mo$5,269/mo$4,794/mo
Independent Living
San Rafael, CA:$5,155/mo
California:$4,504/mo
U.S.:$4,016/mo
Assisted Living
San Rafael, CA:$4,597/mo
California:$4,369/mo
U.S.:$4,558/mo
Memory Care
San Rafael, CA:$5,758/mo
California:$5,269/mo
U.S.:$4,794/mo
Table showing 5 of 3 items. Click to show less.
Table showing 5 of 3 items. Click to show less.

Independent living costs in San Rafael, CA, over time

The line graph below shows how monthly independent living costs have shifted over the past five years in San Rafael and how those changes compare with state and national trends. The figures represent quarterly averages of what seniors actually paid after moving into A Place for Mom partner communities.

San Rafael, CACA stateNational

Independent living cost trends in San Rafael, CA

The table below shows how monthly independent living costs in San Rafael have changed in the last two years and how those changes compare with state and national trends. The figures represent averages of actual costs paid by seniors who moved into A Place for Mom partner communities in 2023 and 2024.

Cost comparison table showing 2023 and 2024 median costs by location. This table contains 3 rows of data across 4 columns.
Column location: Location
Column cost2024: 2024 average cost
Column cost2023: 2023 average cost
Column percentChange: Percent change
Location2024 average cost2023 average costPercent change
San Rafael, CA$3,952/mo$4,193/mo-5.8%
California$3,660/mo$3,479/mo+5.2%
National$3,191/mo$3,101/mo+2.9%
San Rafael, CA
2024 average cost:$3,952/mo
2023 average cost:$4,193/mo
Percent change:-5.8%
California
2024 average cost:$3,660/mo
2023 average cost:$3,479/mo
Percent change:+5.2%
National
2024 average cost:$3,191/mo
2023 average cost:$3,101/mo
Percent change:+2.9%
Table showing 5 of 3 items. Click to show less.
Table showing 5 of 3 items. Click to show less.

Discover the many ways to pay for senior living

Planning ahead can better position you to make good choices for your loved one’s care in the future. But if your aging family member needs care now, there are ways to finance the cost of long-term care through a combination of approaches.

What families are saying about independent living in San Rafael

Recent reviews for independent living in San Rafael

Atria Park of Lafayette

5.0
All 5 stars. Atria Park of Lafayette is an excellent place. The caregivers were proactive in managing my moms medicines, all staff were very communicative with my family about my moms care. I would definitely recommend them to others looking.

AlmaVia of San Rafael

5.0
Great facility that is meeting all my parents needs! Great for memory care. The staff is very friendly and helpful to get them adjusted

Carlton Senior Living Pleasant Hill

5.0
I think they do a fantastic job at Carlton Senior Living! I helped find this place for a friend, and our experience has been a very good one. It's a beautiful facility, and the staff are all very kind, caring, and professional. They've got all sorts of activities, good food, and a great social ...
Read more

San Rafael independent living services and amenities

These charts highlight some of the many care, dining, and entertainment offerings available in San Rafael independent living communities. They don’t represent all possible services and amenities available at assisted living communities in San Rafael, but support comparisons against nationwide offerings. Our Senior Living Advisors can help you find communities that fit your preferences.

Availability of select dietary accommodations in San Rafael independent living

Independent living communities help seniors maintain a balanced diet by accommodating their health needs, allergies, and other restrictions. Below you’ll find the percentage of San Rafael partners making specific dietary accommodations for seniors compared to the percentage of assisted living partners making those accommodations nationally.
San Rafael, CANational
Nutritionist / dietician
Nutritionist / dietician
17.9%
20.5%
Low / no sodium
Low / no sodium
25%
34.1%
No sugar
No sugar
21.4%
31.5%
Vegetarian
Vegetarian
35.7%
33.6%
Pureed meals
Pureed meals
7.1%
8.1%
0.0%20.0%40.0%60.0%80.0%100%

Availability of select dining options in San Rafael independent living

Our independent living communities know that seniors want top-quality meals and options for how they dine. The chart below indicates the percentage of San Rafael communities that offer dining options to their discerning residents compared to our partners nationally.
San Rafael, CANational
Professional chef
Professional chef
25%
36.5%
Restaurant style dining
Restaurant style dining
25%
43.5%
Room service
Room service
25%
36.9%
Anytime dining
Anytime dining
17.9%
17.4%
0.0%20.0%40.0%60.0%80.0%100%

Availability of select programs and activities in San Rafael independent living

Senior living communities offer a variety of programming to keep seniors socially, mentally, and physically vibrant. The chart below shows what percentage of partnered independent living communities in San Rafael offer the selected activities, amenities, and programs compared to the percentage of partners nationwide.
San Rafael, CANational
Activity director
Activity director
35.7%
45.3%
Pet-focused programs
Pet-focused programs
17.9%
28.4%
Community service programs
Community service programs
21.4%
32.8%
Devotional activities on-site
Devotional activities on-site
25%
49.3%
Parties / BBQs / happy hour
Parties / BBQs / happy hour
32.1%
49.8%
Outings / off-site activities
Outings / off-site activities
42.9%
54.9%
Piano or organ
Piano or organ
32.1%
43.1%
Arts and crafts center
Arts and crafts center
25%
37.7%
Educational speakers / life long learning
Educational speakers / life long learning
32.1%
41.7%
Clubs / games / karaoke
Clubs / games / karaoke
32.1%
47.5%
Live performances
Live performances
32.1%
47.3%
Dances
Dances
17.9%
32.6%
Fitness center
Fitness center
32.1%
39.8%
Fitness classes
Fitness classes
32.1%
47%
0.0%20.0%40.0%60.0%80.0%100%

Frequently Asked Questions

Drake Terrace, Atria Tamalpais Creek and Deer Park Retirement Community are the top-rated independent living facilities near San Rafael, California. See full list of communities.
There are 33 independent living facilities near San Rafael, California. See the full list.
The best independent living facility near you in San Rafael, California is Cogir of Sonoma Senior Living. This independent living community received the highest ranking based on verified family reviews.
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