San Rafael, CA vs Redondo Beach, CA: Cost of Living

Which city costs less?

Redondo Beach, CA has a modeled overall cost index 0.1% higher than San Rafael, CA.

San Rafael, CA · modeled 2BR rent: $3,120 / month
Redondo Beach, CA · modeled 2BR rent: $3,320 / month

These are saved estimates, not current rental listings. Some cities use adjusted regional data. Your household budget can differ from the overall index. Sources and assumptions

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Compare San Rafael, CA and Redondo Beach, CA using saved regional data and explicit budgeting assumptions. Rent estimates are not live listings. Change the salary below, then check the source notes before applying a result to your household.

Saved regional estimates · Sources and assumptions

Current salary in San Rafael, CA

Numbers update automatically as you type

Estimated savings: $40.25/month in Redondo Beach, CA

$150,000 in your current city has a modeled equivalent of $149,517 in Redondo Beach, CA

Regional cost estimates: San Rafael, CA uses Oakland, CA. Redondo Beach, CA uses Los Angeles, CA. Available city ZIP rent estimates are shown separately.

Overall Cost

↑ 0.1%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$40.25

Savings

Annual Impact

$483

Per year

Assumes 60% of current gross income goes to living costs. The headline uses the category budget below; taxes, moving costs and savings goals are excluded.

San Rafael, CA

Population:60K

Cost Index:

157.8

100 = national average

Typical Home:$1.34M

Redondo Beach, CA

Population:68K

Cost Index:

158.0

100 = national average

Typical Home:$1.49M

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San Rafael, CA

The Golden State

60K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in California, this city has a population of 60K residents.

Redondo Beach, CA

The Golden State

68K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in California, this city has a population of 68K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Estimated monthly spending: San Rafael, CA vs Redondo Beach, CA

Assumes 60% of your current gross income is spent on these categories. The headline and totals use this same budget. Rent estimates below are separate reference data. Rounded amounts may differ by $1.

Category	San Rafael, CA	Redondo Beach, CA	Difference	Change
Housing	$3,683/mo	$3,967/mo	↑ $283more	7.7%
Other	$1,118/mo	$984/mo	↓ $134less	12.0%
Healthcare	$431/mo	$330/mo	↓ $101less	23.4%
Groceries	$707/mo	$619/mo	↓ $87.47less	12.4%
Transportation	$1,287/mo	$1,227/mo	↓ $59.95less	4.7%
All Utilities	$273/mo	$332/mo	↑ $58.64more	21.5%

Housing

↑ 7.7%

San Rafael, CA

$3,683

Redondo Beach, CA

$3,967

Difference

$283

Other

↓ 12.0%

San Rafael, CA

$1,118

Redondo Beach, CA

$984

Difference

$134

less

Healthcare

↓ 23.4%

San Rafael, CA

$431

Redondo Beach, CA

$330

Difference

$101

less

Groceries

↓ 12.4%

San Rafael, CA

$707

Redondo Beach, CA

$619

Difference

$87.47

less

Transportation

↓ 4.7%

San Rafael, CA

$1,287

Redondo Beach, CA

$1,227

Difference

$59.95

less

All Utilities

↑ 21.5%

San Rafael, CA

$273

Redondo Beach, CA

$332

Difference

$58.64

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$2,150

To$2,380

↑ $230

1 Bed

From$2,580

To$2,660

↑ $80.00

2 Bed

From$3,120

To$3,320

↑ $200

3 Bed

From$3,990

To$4,210

↑ $220

San Rafael, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,580–$2,580/mo

Redondo Beach, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,490–$2,830/mo

💡 Note: HUD Fair Market Rents estimate 40th-percentile gross rents, including most tenant-paid utilities. City ZIP summaries are medians of those estimates, not market median rents. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$7,500

Monthly in San Rafael, CA

$7,460

Monthly in Redondo Beach, CA

$40.25

Difference

Home Values

San Rafael

Redondo Beach

$1.34M

Median Value

$1.49M

↓ -2.1%

YoY Change

↑ +0.3%

↑ +13.9%

5-Year Change

↑ +27.6%

$1.34M

Price Range

$1.37M - $1.60M

Homes in Redondo Beach are 11% more expensive than San Rafael

Calculate payment - San Rafael Calculate payment - Redondo Beach

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

→ $0

Same taxes

Monthly Difference

Same take-home

Effective Rate Diff

0.0%

Rate difference

San Rafael, CA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

California State Tax

Effective: 7.1%

$10.6K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 31.8%

$47.6K

Take-Home Pay

$8,530/month

$102.4K

Redondo Beach, CA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

California State Tax

Effective: 7.1%

$10.6K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 31.8%

$47.6K

Take-Home Pay

$8,530/month

$102.4K

Additional Tax Information

San Rafael, CA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:10.5%

Property Tax:0.8%

Redondo Beach, CA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:10.5%

Property Tax:0.8%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.

Environment

San Rafael

Redondo Beach

49 Good

Air Quality

80 Moderate

53%

Good Air Days

10.4%

100 Very High

Climate Risk

100 Very High

🔥🌊🌅

Top Hazards

🔥🌊🌅

▲+1.9°F

2050 Outlook

▲+2.6°F

2 days

Heat Days >95°F

17 days

▲+1.9°F

2050 Outlook

▲+2.6°F

2 days

Heat Days >95°F

17 days

Before moving from San Rafael, CA to Redondo Beach, CA

Use this comparison to shortlist a move, then check the costs that depend on your household.

Compare actual homes. Get current quotes in Redondo Beach, CA for the same bedroom count and included utilities as your home in San Rafael, CA. Add parking, deposits, insurance and any overlapping leases. The rent estimates above are a starting point, not available listings.
Confirm your income. Check your expected pay with your employer, including any location adjustment. Use “Different salary at destination?” above to compare two incomes. The budget model excludes taxes and one-time moving costs; it is not a take-home-pay calculation.
Price your daily routine. Check the commute from a specific address to work, school or childcare. Add household expenses missing from this model, such as childcare, debt payments and medical needs. Verify local services before signing a lease.
Plan the transition. Get moving quotes and budget for travel, setup costs and time off. Open your San Rafael to Redondo Beach moving checklist to organize the tasks and timing.

Still choosing a destination? Explore cities similar to Redondo Beach, CA by cost, housing, population and region.

Frequently Asked Questions: San Rafael, CA vs Redondo Beach, CA

How do the cost estimates for San Rafael, CA and Redondo Beach, CA compare?

Redondo Beach, CA has a modeled overall cost index 0.1% higher than San Rafael, CA. This is a broad model comparison, not a survey of today's prices or a forecast of your household spending. Some cities use adjusted regional fallback data.

What does the equivalent salary mean?

At a $150,000 salary in San Rafael, CA, the model estimates $149,517 in Redondo Beach, CA. It allocates 60% of gross income to the origin city’s category budget and applies each destination category’s relative cost. The equivalent salary adds the total category difference to your income. The monthly difference is the same category difference divided by 12; it is not take-home pay or guaranteed savings. Household size, childcare and your actual lease are not inputs to this calculation.

What rent estimates are available for San Rafael, CA and Redondo Beach, CA?

The modeled two-bedroom rents are $3,120/month in San Rafael, CA and $3,320/month in Redondo Beach, CA. Where available, the source is a city median of HUD FY2026 ZIP-level estimates; otherwise a saved metro table is used. City adjustments may also apply. These are not asking rents or available listings. Compare actual properties with the same bedroom count and included utilities.

How should I use this comparison before moving?

Use it to shortlist locations, then replace modeled costs with a current housing quote, employer-confirmed income, commute costs, insurance and your household's other expenses. Add one-time moving costs separately. Source years differ and the saved datasets are not a live price feed. Read the methodology for the formulas and fallback rules.