26 facilities, but not cheap. San Rafael is one of the pricier markets in California. Safety scores are about average for the area.
These scores are part of the FYI Safety Scorecard, California's independent safety rating for assisted living. See how San Rafael compares statewide.
6 beds · $8,500/mo
Best safety record in San Rafael. Small home, more personal attention. Offers memory care. On the pricier end.
6 beds · $6,084/mo
Solid inspection record. Small home, more personal attention.
6 beds · $5,379/mo
Solid inspection record. Small home, more personal attention. Offers memory care.
6 beds · $8,500/mo
Solid inspection record. Small home, more personal attention. On the pricier end.
130 beds · $7,500/mo
Above-average safety. Large community with more amenities.
6 beds · $9,000/mo
Above-average safety. Small home, more personal attention. Offers memory care. On the pricier end.
6 beds · $5,442/mo
Above-average safety. Small home, more personal attention.
6 beds · $5,700/mo
Above-average safety. Small home, more personal attention.
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Mostly smaller, home-like settings. San Rafael has 26 licensed assisted living facilities. The majority (16) are residential care homes with 6 beds or fewer, so if you're looking for something intimate where your parent isn't one of dozens of residents, you'll have options. There are also 5 larger communities with 50+ beds if you prefer structured activities, on-site dining, and more staff on hand.
Expect to pay around $6,473/mo. That's about 22% more than the statewide average of $5,291/mo, so this isn't the cheapest market. Prices range from $4,200 up to $9,000 depending on the facility, room type, and level of care. 21 of 26 facilities publish pricing, which is better transparency than most areas.
Look at the safety scores before you visit. The average score in San Rafael is 7.6 out of 10. That's about average for California. Some facilities here have excellent records and others don't, so check individual scores before you visit. Our scores come from real California state inspection data, not self-reported reviews.
A few things that might narrow your search. None of the facilities here currently accept Medi-Cal, so you'll need to look at neighboring cities if that's a factor. 8 facilities offer specialized memory care if that's what you need.
Start by comparing facilities on what actually matters: safety record, pricing, care types, and size. We list all 26 licensed assisted living facilities in San Rafael with their FYI Safety Scores, drawn from California state inspection data, plus any verified pricing, so you can narrow the list before you ever pick up the phone. Many placement services are paid referral agents who only show you facilities that pay them. Here you can compare every licensed option directly.
It's on the pricier side. The average in San Rafael is $6,473/mo, about 22% more than the typical California city we track. If budget is a concern, it's worth looking at neighboring cities too.
Safety varies a lot by facility. Of the 26 facilities in San Rafael with a FYI Safety Score, 13 land in the Good or Excellent range and 3 fall into the Poor or Severe range. Across the 26 facilities with an inspection record, 58% have zero substantiated complaints. These scores come from California state inspection data, not online reviews, so they reflect what regulators actually documented.
Three Home Village I currently has the highest safety score in San Rafael at 9.6 out of 10. These scores are based on real state inspection data, not online reviews. We'd recommend checking individual scores for any facility you're considering, since they can vary a lot even within the same city.
Among our top-rated facilities, Long Life Living Inc Ii starts at $5,379/mo, and it has a safety score of 8.8. Across all 26 facilities in the area, published prices range from $4,200 to $9,000/mo. Keep in mind that the actual cost depends on the level of care needed.
Unfortunately, none of the facilities we track in San Rafael currently participate in the ALW program. That can change, so it's worth calling facilities directly. You might also look at neighboring cities where Medi-Cal acceptance is more common.
Yes, 8 facilities in San Rafael offer specialized memory care for residents with Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia. Among the top-rated: Three Home Village I and Long Life Living Inc Ii and Three Home Village 2. Memory care units typically have additional security measures and staff trained in dementia care, so expect higher pricing than standard assisted living.
Every licensed facility we track in San Rafael, ranked by our recommendation. Each links to its full safety record, pricing, and details.