If you are comparing San Rafael 94901 and 94903, the numbers only tell part of the story. Both ZIP codes are active, desirable parts of San Rafael, but they appeal to buyers and sellers for different reasons. When you look at pricing, housing style, commute patterns, and ownership considerations together, the differences become much clearer. Let’s dive in.
Market Snapshot: 94901 vs 94903
At a high level, 94901 is the higher-priced market, while 94903 is the lower-priced and faster-moving market.
According to Realtor.com’s March 2026 overview for 94901, the median home price is $1.195 million, with $654 per square foot, 78 active listings, and 37 days on market. Inventory is up 17.19% year over year, while the median price is down 14.34% year over year.
By comparison, Realtor.com’s March 2026 overview for 94903 shows a median home price of $714,000, $594 per square foot, 76 active listings, and 30 days on market. Inventory is down 11.63% year over year, and the median price is up 14.24% year over year.
That creates a practical split. 94903 currently shows stronger recent price momentum and slightly quicker turnover, while 94901 offers a higher price point, slightly more inventory, and a softer year-over-year price trend.
What Makes 94901 Different
94901 has a broader mix of central, historic, and waterfront-adjacent areas. Realtor.com identifies neighborhoods including Central San Rafael, Lincoln-San Rafael Hill, Southeast San Rafael, Canal, San Pedro Peninsula, Dominican – Black Canyon, Loch Lomond – Canal North, and Montecito – Happy Valley.
This ZIP also carries a stronger historic-core identity. The City of San Rafael’s historic preservation resources highlight downtown historic districts such as the Victorian Village and the French Quarter, and the city also points to Falkirk Cultural Center, an 1888 Queen Anne Victorian mansion near downtown.
For you as a buyer, that often means 94901 can feel more layered in its architecture and setting. For you as a seller, it means character, location, and presentation can play a major role in how a home is positioned in the market.
94901 Lifestyle and Setting
One of 94901’s defining features is its relationship to downtown and the waterfront. The San Rafael Transit Center sits in downtown 94901 and serves as the county’s regional transit hub, with Golden Gate Transit reporting that nearly half of weekday riders either originate from or are headed to downtown San Rafael.
94901 also includes areas influenced by the San Rafael Channel, which the city describes as an urban waterfront. The city notes that more than 12,000 residents live within half a mile of the federal channel, which makes flood risk and dredging part of the ownership conversation in some locations.
If you are drawn to historic context, downtown access, or waterfront proximity, 94901 often stands out. It is less about one single home style and more about a mix of location advantages and neighborhood character.
94901 Buyer and Seller Takeaways
For buyers, 94901 can make sense if your priorities include:
- Historic character
- Downtown San Rafael access
- Proximity to the regional transit hub
- Waterfront or channel-adjacent setting in select areas
For sellers, the strongest marketing angles often include:
- Scarcity and location context
- Historic or architectural significance
- Downtown convenience
- Waterfront-adjacent appeal where applicable
What Makes 94903 Different
94903 has a different identity. Realtor.com’s neighborhood breakdown for this ZIP includes North San Rafael, Terra Linda, Marinwood, Pacheco Valle, Civic Center, and Mont Marin – San Rafael Park.
The strongest architectural signal in 94903 comes from Terra Linda. A 2024 CEQA cultural-resources study notes that the Terra Linda subarea contains more than 900 Joseph Eichler mid-century modern homes built between 1955 and 1961, with later development maintaining a similar character.
The same study describes these homes with features many buyers actively seek: post-and-beam construction, flat or shallow-pitched roofs, floor-to-ceiling glass, open floor plans, and strong indoor-outdoor connections. If you are searching for a recognizable mid-century identity in San Rafael, 94903 is often where that conversation starts.
94903 Lifestyle and Setting
Compared with 94901, 94903 reads as more northern and more suburban in pattern. The CEQA study places Terra Linda in the Las Gallinas Valley, which supports the idea of a more inland valley feel rather than a waterfront-oriented setting.
94903 also has strong transportation access in a different way. The Marin Civic Center SMART station is located at 3801 Civic Center Drive, with nearby Golden Gate Transit and Marin Transit service, plus free parking along McInnis Parkway and Merrydale Road.
That makes 94903 feel more park-and-ride and freeway-access oriented than downtown-centered. If your routine depends on north-side convenience or quick access to Highway 101, that difference may matter quite a bit.
94903 Buyer and Seller Takeaways
For buyers, 94903 can make sense if your priorities include:
- Lower entry pricing compared with 94901
- Mid-century modern and Eichler-era design
- A more suburban north San Rafael setting
- Access to the Civic Center transit node and Highway 101 corridor
For sellers, the strongest marketing angles often include:
- Mid-century pedigree
- Cohesive neighborhood identity
- North-side convenience
- Faster recent market pace
Schools and Attendance Patterns
School patterns differ between the two ZIP codes, and that can shape how some buyers narrow their search.
The San Rafael City Schools attendance page explains that the district uses an attendance boundary map. It also states that any student living within San Rafael may choose either San Rafael High School, located at 150 Third Street in 94901, or Terra Linda High School, located at 320 Nova Albion Way in 94903.
94903 also includes the Miller Creek School District, a TK-8 district headquartered in 94903. The district includes Lucas Valley Elementary, Mary E. Silveira Elementary, Vallecito Elementary, and Miller Creek Middle School.
The practical point is simple: 94903 can involve a different elementary and middle school structure than 94901, even though high school choice within San Rafael may be more flexible. If schools are part of your search, it is worth verifying the specific attendance pattern for any address you are considering.
Renovation and Property Planning
Both ZIP codes can involve planning considerations, but for different reasons.
In 94901, the City of San Rafael notes that exterior modifications or demolition involving landmarked properties or homes in historic districts may require Planning Commission review. That can affect how you think about expansion, exterior updates, or redevelopment.
In 94903, the CEQA study notes that the city’s General Plan policies reference Eichler and Alliance Homes as part of San Rafael’s architectural heritage. That does not mean every property faces the same restrictions, but it does mean design integrity and improvement strategy can matter in a meaningful way.
For buyers, that is a reminder to look beyond layout and finishes. For sellers, it reinforces the value of thoughtful preparation, especially when a home’s architecture is central to its appeal.
Rental and Investment Context
If you are looking at these ZIP codes through an investment lens, the rental picture is worth noting.
Realtor.com reports a median rent of $2,250 in 94901 and $2,782 in 94903. That means the rent snapshot does not mirror the purchase snapshot exactly, and 94903 may deserve a closer look for rental-demand context.
That said, a real investment analysis still depends on the property itself. Building type, condition, location within the ZIP, and address-level comparable data all matter before you can draw strong conclusions about yield or repositioning potential.
Which San Rafael ZIP Fits You Best?
If you are deciding between the two, the answer usually comes down to what matters most in your daily life and long-term plans.
Choose 94901 if you are most drawn to higher-end pricing, historic context, downtown access, transit convenience, and waterfront-adjacent areas in select neighborhoods. It tends to offer a more varied and layered housing story.
Choose 94903 if you want a lower price point, faster-moving market conditions, a stronger mid-century modern identity, north-side convenience, and access patterns tied to the Civic Center and Highway 101 corridor. It tends to feel more defined by suburban layout and architectural consistency in areas like Terra Linda.
For sellers, the choice is not about which ZIP is “better.” It is about how your specific property fits current demand and how clearly its value can be presented to the market. A historic home near downtown and an Eichler in Terra Linda each need a different pricing, preparation, and marketing strategy to achieve the strongest result.
If you are weighing a move in San Rafael, comparing value between ZIP codes, or planning strategic updates before listing, working with a local advisor who understands both the numbers and the product can make the decision much clearer. To talk through your options, connect with Allison Salzer.
FAQs
What is the price difference between San Rafael 94901 and 94903?
- Based on March 2026 Realtor.com data, 94901 has a median home price of $1.195 million, while 94903 has a median home price of $714,000.
Which San Rafael ZIP code is moving faster, 94901 or 94903?
- March 2026 Realtor.com data shows 94903 at 30 days on market and 94901 at 37 days on market, so 94903 is moving slightly faster.
What housing styles are most associated with San Rafael 94901?
- 94901 is more closely associated with historic districts, older housing stock, downtown character, and some waterfront-adjacent neighborhoods.
What housing styles are most associated with San Rafael 94903?
- 94903 is strongly associated with mid-century modern housing, especially Eichler homes in Terra Linda, along with later suburban development.
How do school patterns differ between San Rafael 94901 and 94903?
- San Rafael City Schools serves San Rafael with attendance boundaries and high school choice within the city, while some 94903 addresses also fall within the Miller Creek School District for TK-8.
Is San Rafael 94901 better for transit access than 94903?
- 94901 is more centered on the downtown San Rafael Transit Center, while 94903 is more tied to the Marin Civic Center SMART station and park-and-ride style access.
Are there renovation considerations in San Rafael 94901 and 94903?
- Yes. In 94901, historic properties or homes in historic districts may involve review for exterior changes, while in 94903, architecturally significant mid-century housing can make design-sensitive improvements especially important.
