Wealth Index
The wealth index reflects the overall economic prosperity and financial well-being of a county's residents based on income levels, employment rates, and income inequality metrics.
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | San Rafael | California Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $108,406 | $96,718 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $84,630 | $68,943 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 3.7% | 6.0% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 24.0% | 16.9% | 13.2% |
The median household income in San Rafael is about 12% higher than in California. Income has been growing slower in San Rafael (3.7%/yr) than in California (6.0%/yr).
About 24% of adults in San Rafael earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, higher than the California average of 17%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in San Rafael, California grew by 42.2% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $108,406 in 2023. That's an average of about 3.7% per year.
Economic Inequality in San Rafael | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | San Rafael | California Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.556 | 0.596 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $84,071 | $73,016 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $85,088 | $63,704 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | -1.2% | 12.8% | 19.1% |
The Gini coefficient measures how evenly income is shared between richer and poorer households, from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns nearly everything). The lower the number, the more equally income is distributed. In San Rafael, it is 0.556, lower than California's 0.596, so income is more evenly distributed here than there, and lower than the US's 0.570, so income is more evenly distributed here than there.
Women's income is about 1% more than men's income in San Rafael, California. Over a 35-year career, a 1% wage gap accumulates to roughly $35,595 in unearned income for male workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in San Rafael, California has narrowed from about 1% to -1% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $1,777 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | San Rafael | California Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.4% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 23.3% | 15.5% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 21 | 23 | 22 |
Approximately 1,640 people are unemployed in San Rafael, California.
The average commute time in San Rafael is 21 minutes, shorter than the 23 minutes in California.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in San Rafael, California has fallen from 6.3% to 5.9% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, San Rafael, California has an overall wealth index grade of A, making it notably better than California, and notably better than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in San Rafael, California.
How Rich Is San Rafael, California?
San Rafael has a wealth index grade of A. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; an A grade means residents are much better off than the U.S. average. The median household income is $108,406, about 12% higher than the California average of $96,718.
What is the current median household income in San Rafael, California?
As of 2023, the median household income in San Rafael, California is $108,406.
What was the median household income in San Rafael in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in San Rafael, California was $108,406.
What was the median household income in San Rafael in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in San Rafael, California was $96,287.
What is the Gini coefficient in San Rafael, California?
The Gini coefficient in San Rafael is 0.556. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is lower than the US average of 0.570, so income is distributed more equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in San Rafael, California?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in San Rafael, California has narrowed from about 1% to -1% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $1,777 since 2009.