San Rafael, CA
Long-term air quality
What this page tells you
This page combines annual PM2.5, unhealthy days, 5-year trend, and data coverage so you can compare long-term air quality, not just today's reading.
San Rafael, CA air quality summary: San Rafael, CA maintains a clean air score of 88.8 and a grade of A, reflecting very healthy air quality. The annual mean for PM2.5 in the city is 5 µg/m³. In San Rafael, the annual mean concentration of PM2.5 is 5 µg/m³. Long-term air quality in San Rafael has been improving over recent years.
Clean Air Score
A clean air score of 88.8 and a grade of A indicate that San Rafael has low long-term particulate exposure. This represents a healthy and favorable environment for residents over the long term.
🏡 What This Means for Buying
San Rafael's air quality is a significant positive factor for homebuyers and residents. The city's A grade reflects a very clean environmental profile and low pollution levels.
Indoor Air Quality in San Rafael, CA
Outdoor pollution can still affect indoor air when windows are open, filtration is weak, or wildfire smoke moves in.
How to react when today's AQI changes
Use the AQI bands below to decide whether to open windows, run an air purifier, or stay indoors when pollution spikes in San Rafael.
AQI 0-50
GoodOpen windows: Open windows if you want fresh air.
Air purifier: No purifier needed for most homes.
Indoor activity: Normal indoor activity is fine.
AQI 51-100
ModerateOpen windows: Sensitive groups should limit open-window time.
Air purifier: Use fans or filtration if dust or pollen is bothering you.
Indoor activity: Most people can stay active indoors.
AQI 101-150
Unhealthy for Sensitive GroupsOpen windows: Keep windows closed.
Air purifier: Run a HEPA purifier in the main room and bedroom.
Indoor activity: Sensitive groups should reduce outdoor exposure.
AQI 151+
UnhealthyOpen windows: Keep windows and doors closed.
Air purifier: Run HEPA continuously and seal obvious drafts.
Indoor activity: Stay indoors as much as possible; use an N95 if you must go out.
Common indoor air concerns in San Rafael:
- Wildfire smoke infiltration (PM2.5)
- Seasonal pollen and dust mite allergens
- VOCs from household products
Recommended action: If today's AQI reaches 101 or higher, close windows and run HEPA filtration before indoor air starts to feel smoky or stale.
Top Products for San Rafael Homes:
🩺 My Health Risk Assessment
See how San Rafael's air quality affects you and your family specifically.
Health Advice
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</> Create Free Widget🏡 Property Value Impact Analysis
Between 2019 and 2024, San Rafael's air quality improved by 1.3 μg/m³. Based on NBER studies, this change correlates with a estimated 5.2% increase in relative property value retention.
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Why San Rafael earned a 88.8
Raw inputs, scoring weights, and data coverage for this city.
Best Time to Run
Find the cleanest hours for your run today.
Cycling Forecast
Avoid pollution spikes on your next ride.
📅 Past 30 Days Trend
Real-time daily PM2.5 AQI
🌸 Pollen Outlook
Current Seasonal Forecast
How it worksBased on current seasonal forecast data. Not a long-term pollution rating or relocation score.
Score Breakdown
| Component | Weight | Score Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Air Quality | 40% | 99.7 |
| Unhealthy Days | 25% | 100 |
| 5-Year Trend | 20% | 56.5 |
| Seasonal Variability | 10% | 89.9 |
| Extreme Events | 5% | 100 |
Explore More Air Quality Data
Frequently Asked Questions
About This Data
Data Sources
Historical air quality mapping and scoring are based completely on official U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) AirNow API data. 5-day AQI forecasts are provided by WAQI.
Methodology
Our Clean Air Score (0-100) is a proprietary algorithm that weighs multiple factors:
- Annual PM2.5 averages (40%)
- Frequency of unhealthy days (25%)
- 5-year pollution trends (20%)
- Seasonal variability and extreme events (15%)
Updates & Accuracy
Real-time data is updated hourly. Historical aggregate scores are recalculated monthly to reflect the latest trends. While we strive for accuracy, sensor maintenance and local conditions can affect individual readings.
Practical Advice
When AQI > 100: Sensitive groups (children, elderly, asthmatics) should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.
When AQI > 150: Everyone should avoid outdoor exercise and keep windows closed.
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San Rafael Air Quality FAQs
Is San Rafael a good fit for people who care about long-term air quality?
San Rafael is an excellent fit, boasting a clean air score of 88.8 and a grade of A. The PM2.5 annual mean of 5 µg/m³ reflects relatively low long-term particulate exposure.
How frequent is unhealthy air in San Rafael?
San Rafael reports 0% of days as unhealthy, which is consistent with its A grade and low PM2.5 annual mean of 5 µg/m³. Residents benefit from consistently high air quality standards.
Is air quality in San Rafael improving or getting worse over time?
Air quality in San Rafael has shown an improving trend over recent years, further strengthening its profile for long-term residency.
Does air quality vary within San Rafael?
Residents are encouraged to look at neighborhood or ZIP-level detail for more localized air quality information in San Rafael.