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$1,945 - $3,045Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Now
3633 Colegrove Apartments
3633 Colegrove StSan Mateo, CA 94403
Cheap Apartments for Rent in San Mateo, CA from $1,300 (55 Rentals)
Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in San Mateo.
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$2,195 - $2,4501 Bedroom Apartments Contact Us For Availability
Fiesta Apartments
640-700 19th AveSan Mateo, CA 94403
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$2,2951 Bedroom Apartments Contact Us For Availability
Bermuda Apartments
401 Bermuda DrSan Mateo, CA 94403
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$2,300Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Sep 7
Casa Baywood
212 S El Camino RealSan Mateo, CA 94401
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$2,325 - $2,3951 Bedroom Apartments Available Now
Ambassador Apartments
145 N El Camino RealSan Mateo, CA 94401
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$2,450 - $3,0951 to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Now
Madison Place
400 E Hillsdale BlvdSan Mateo, CA 94403
Roommate Matching: Finding the Right Fit and Avoiding Pitfalls
When searching for a roommate, follow this list of essential steps and set clear expectations to create a solid foundation for a harmonious living situation.
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$2,4501 Bedroom Apartments Contact Us For Availability
East Hillsdale Apartments
348 E Hillsdale BlvdSan Mateo, CA 94403
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$2,494 - $6,7662 to 3 Bedroom Apartments Available Now
Colonial Garden Apartments
460 N Humboldt StSan Mateo, CA 94401
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The Ultimate Long-Distance Moving Checklist: Tips from a Real Estate Pro
Moving is tough, especially long-distance. Learn how to minimize stress & expenses with proven strategies from a real estate pro, covering everything from logistics to finances.
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Cash or credit? Understanding the Importance of Credit Score in Real Estate and Renting
Discover how your credit score impacts your ability to lease or buy a home. Learn how credit scores are determined, how to check yours, and strategies to improve it for real estate success.
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Rent Specials
$1,750 - $2,073Studio Apartments Available Now
Bonnie Brae Terrace
2400 Carlmont DrBelmont, CA 94002
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$1,995 - $3,195Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments Contact Us For Availability
Tradewind Surf Apartments
1110 Polynesia DrFoster City, CA 94404
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$2,040 - $3,300Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Now
Apartment in San Carlos Creek
17-25 Devonshire BlvdSan Carlos, CA 94070
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$2,045 - $2,545Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments Available Now
Villa Tuscany Apartment Homes
789 El CaminoBurlingame, CA 94010
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$2,195 - $3,195Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments Available Now
Bellevue Apartments
1445 Bellevue AveBurlingame, CA 94010
1549 San Carlos Ave
San CarlosCA94070
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$2,250 - $2,9001 to 2 Bedroom Apartments Contact Us For Availability
Beachcomber Bali
1441-1451 Beach Park BlvdFoster City, CA 94404
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$2,300 - $4,000Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Aug 26
Crestview Apartments
510 Crest View AveBelmont, CA 94002
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$2,363 - $3,470Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Aug 7
The Riley at Belmont Hills
1039 Continentals WayBelmont, CA 94002
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The Art of the Rental Viewing: What to look for during a property tour
Touring a rental? This guide helps you know exactly what to look for, from safety features to hidden flaws, so you can confidently sign your lease or keep searching.
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Smart Renter's Guide: Calculating Affordable Rent & Housing Costs
Wondering how to determine your rental budget? This comprehensive guide covers everything from the 30% rule to hidden fees and effective budgeting strategies.
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San Mateo, CA Local Guide
Cats being cats at CuriOdyssey in Coyote Point by Flickr User: aaron_anderer is licensed under CC BY 2.0
How much does it cost to rent an apartment in San Mateo?
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cheap San Mateo Studio Apartments | $2,813 | $1,750 | $4,252 |
| Cheap San Mateo 1 Bedroom Apartments | $3,384 | $2,195 | $7,772 |
| Cheap San Mateo 2 Bedroom Apartments | $4,390 | $2,494 | $8,347 |
| Cheap San Mateo 3 Bedroom Apartments | $5,445 | $3,295 | $10,000+ |
| Cheap San Mateo 4 Bedroom Apartments | $8,856 | $7,070 | $10,000+ |
Browse Top Apartments in San Mateo
See all Apartments in San MateoExplore San Mateo
San Mateo, CA Local Guide
Written By:
Staff Writer Local Guide Expert
- San Mateo Neighborhoods
- Nearby Cities
- ZIP codes
- Local Counties
- School Districts
Cheapest Neighborhoods for Apartments in San Mateo, CA
Pricing Updated: 08/04/2025Current apartment rentals in the San Mateo, CA area range in price from to with an overall median price of . Here is today’s list neighborhoods with the lowest median pricing for San Mateo Apartments for rent:
| Neighborhood | Median Price | Min Price | Available Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baywood Aragon | $4,640 | $2,395 | 18 |
| Baywood Park | $4,648 | $1,750 | 24 |
| North Central | $5,195 | $2,280 | 20 |
Cheapest Available San Mateo Apartments for Rent
The cheapest available apartment rental in San Mateo, CA is a Studio unit found at Bonnie Brae Terrace in the Western Hills neighborhood priced from $1,750. Apartment in San Carlos Creek in the McDougal neighborhood has the second lowest priced unit, which is a Studio apartment currently listed from $2,040. Here is today’s list of the most affordable San Mateo apartments for rent:
| Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Priced From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bonnie Brae Terrace | Studio | Studio,1BA | $1,750 |
| Apartment in San Carlos Creek | 0BR/1.0BA | Studio,1BA | $2,040 |
| Villa Tuscany Apartment Homes | 1 Bedroom | 1BR,1BA | $2,245 |
| 1950 Ivy St | 1 Bedroom | 1BR,1BA | $2,275 |
| Fourth Circle | Studio | Studio,1BA | $2,280 |
| Ambassador Apartments | 1x1 | 1BR,1BA | $2,325 |
| 3633 Colegrove Apartments | 1B/1B | 1BR,1BA | $2,395 |
| Madison Place | 1 x 1 | 1BR,1BA | $2,450 |
| Colonial Garden Apartments | Plan 2 | 2BR,1BA | $2,494 |
| Northpark | Studio A | Studio,1BA | $2,511 |
Best Value Apartments for Rent in San Mateo, CA
As of August 04, 2025 the best value apartment in the San Mateo area is the $2.67 price per square foot 2 Bedrooms + Family Room Model at 718 N Claremont St in the in the Central San Mateo neighborhood starting from $3,200. The second greatest value San Mateo apartment is the 645 Rollins Rd Model at 645 Rollins Rd, Unit 3 starting at $3,425 with a $3.26 price per square foot in the North Central San Mateo neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for San Mateo apartments based on price per square foot:
| Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Price Per Sq.Ft. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 718 N Claremont St | 2 Bedrooms + Family Room | 2BR,1BA | $2.67 |
| 645 Rollins Rd, Unit 3 | 645 Rollins Rd | 2BR,1.5BA | $3.26 |
| The Preston at Hillsdale | Two Bedroom One and One Half Bath Townhome A | 2BR,1.5BA | $3.53 |
| The Madison Belmont | Richmond | 2BR,2BA | $3.53 |
| Belmont Square Apartments | 2x1 | 2BR,1BA | $3.05 |
| 111 Elm St | 2 bed 1 bath | 2BR,1BA | $3.44 |
| Bellevue Apartments | 1BR/1.0BA | 1BR,1BA | $3.55 |
| One Three Four Elm Apartments | 1 Bedroom | 1BR,1BA | $3.53 |
| Villa Tuscany Apartment Homes | 1 Bedroom | 1BR,1BA | $3.01 |
| Madison Place | 1 x 1 | 1BR,1BA | $3.44 |
Quick Rent Budget Calculator
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San Mateo Overview
San Mateo is a warm, welcoming city with down-to-earth people from all walks of life. Easy access to big cities and beautiful vacation destinations makes San Mateo a perfect place to raise a family, start a career, or anything in between.
Why live in San Mateo, CA?
San Mateo is great for those who don't want to deal with the burdens of a big city, but who would also like access to the big cities when needed. 35 minutes south and you'll end up in San Jose, or head 30 minutes north to the beautiful city of San Francisco. That's not to say San Mateo doesn't have its own impressive amenities. Downtown you'll find over 200 restaurants to choose from for a night of great food and entertainment. On top of all that, the San Mateo school district is one of the best around, with parents raving about great teachers.
Pet Friendly LifestyleSan Mateo, CA
Ranked #69
Among cities in California for Apartment listings with Pet Friendly Amenities.
Pet Friendliness Lifestyle Score
2.5Pet Friendly
Best Local Schools in San Mateo, CA
George Hall Elementary
San Mateo-Foster City School District
Public School - Grades K-5 (387)
8 out of 10
Parkside Montessori
San Mateo-Foster City School District
Public School - Grades PK-8 (328)
7 out of 10
School data provided by Great Schools
Remember the 3 Rules of Real Estate:Location, Location, Location!
Explore San Mateo, CA Rentals by Map
See the most popular apartments and homes in San Mateo, CA
Getting Around San Mateo, CA
Walk Score®
86 / 100
Very Walkable
Most errands can be accomplished on foot
Bike Score®
73 / 100
Very Bikeable
Biking is convenient for most trips
Transit Score®
42 / 100
Some Transit
A few nearby public transportation options
What Are Walk Score®, Transit Score®, and Bike Score® Ratings?
- Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address.
- Transit Score® measures access to public transit.
- Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap San Mateo Apartments
What is a cheap apartment in San Mateo?
A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in San Mateo is under $2,511.
What is the price of a cheap apartment in San Mateo?
The cheapest apartment in San Mateo is Villa Tuscany Apartment Homes which is listed at $2,245, while the average apartment in San Mateo costs $4,827.
What types of apartments are the cheapest in San Mateo?
Student, low-income, and by-the-bed apartments are typically the cheapest rentals in most cities, though they require qualifying criteria to rent. There are 8 regular apartments in San Mateo that we think qualify as ‘cheap apartments’ that do not have special requirements to apply to rent.
How do the prices of cheap apartments compare to the average apartment in San Mateo?
Cheap apartments in San Mateo have an average cost of $428 which is $4,399 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in San Mateo.
Expert Rental Resources
Helpful Apartment Articles, How-To's and Tips
The rental experts at ApartmentHomeLiving.com provide you with top advice, tools, and tips for understanding the leasing process and finding the perfect rental. Here are a few helpful rental and leasing articles from our experts to guide you on your search.
A San Francisco Local Expert’s Guide to the Top Budget-Friendly Bay Area Neighborhoods to Rent
Written by: Shannon Hilson
If you’re anything like me, the thought of San Francisco is synonymous with concepts like creativity, character, and quirky local style.
The Ultimate Long-Distance Moving Checklist: Tips from a Real Estate Pro
Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.
Hard truth. Moving is never easy. I’ve done it all – from local moves to cross-country relocations From packing to unpacking the last box, I have found moving to be an exhausting, expensive and stressful experience every time.
Cash or credit? Understanding the Importance of Credit Score in Real Estate and Renting
Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.
Throughout the day, think about all the times that you have to pay for something. So many of us reach automatically for a credit card or even our phone for a quick payment.
Roommate Matching: Finding the Right Fit and Avoiding Pitfalls
Written by: Cheryl Bowman
A fantastic way to save money and enjoy a built-in community is to share an apartment. However, a bad roommate situation can turn your dream rental into a nightmare.