
Cheap Apartments for Rent in San Mateo, CA from $1,600 (60 Rentals)
Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in San Mateo.


Country Club

South Delaware Apartments

Fourth Circle

Ivy Circle

Fiesta Apartments

Ambassador Apartments

3633 Colegrove Apartments

116 Elm St

3655 Colegrove Apartments
Bay Living Like a Local: The Insider's Guide to Life and Renting in San Francisco, CA
Unlock the personality of Renting and Living in the City by the Bay. Learn where to eat the best tacos, find hidden views, and embrace the charming contradictions of San Francisco life.

1919 Alameda de las Pulgas

36th Avenue Apartments

Montara

zLaurel Place Apartments

816 Highland Ave

Kiku Crossing

227 Elm St

2831 – 2845 Flores Apartments

Mariner's West Apartments

130-132 Dartmouth Rd
Rent According to Income: A Look at Income-Restricted Rentals
Find income-restricted rentals and housing subsidies. Explore government programs designed to help low-income families secure stable, affordable housing.

1950 Ivy St

Gateway Apartments

Park Central

1113 Haddon Dr

1109 Haddon Dr

Glendora Apartments

Shore Garden Apartments

6 Seville Way

Tradewind Surf Apartments

Tradewind Surf Apartments
Where to Live, Where to Work: Your Guide to Top Neighborhoods to Rent Near San Francisco's 5 Best Employers
Maximize your work-life balance in San Francisco. Discover the ideal neighborhoods for renting, from SoMa to Nob Hill, for employees of the city's 5 leading companies.

Belmont Family Apartments

Beachcomber Bali

924 Hill St

Chateau D'Oro Apartments

1440 El Camino Real

1225 Laguna Avenue Apartments

Bonnie Brae Terrace, A 62+ Community

1133-1129 Rhinette Ave

17-25 Devonshire

807 Taurus Dr
San Francisco's Best Affordable Neighborhoods
Learn about San Francisco and the best places to live with original content written by our San Francisco, CA Local Expert Shannon Hilson

Catania Apartments

Highland Apartments

Carlmont Heights

Villa Tuscany Apartment Homes

Cedar Patio Apartments

Sand Castle Apartments

Laurel Terrace

6th Ave

The Riley at Belmont Hills

Carlmont Hills Apartments
Renters Insurance 101: What It Is, What It Covers, and Why You Need It
From theft to fire to water damage, the unexpected can happen to any renter. Discover why renters insurance is one of the smartest and most affordable investments you can make as a tenant.
San Mateo, CA Local Guide

How much does it cost to rent an apartment in San Mateo?
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cheap San Mateo Studio Apartments | $3,204 | $1,875 | $4,087 |
| Cheap San Mateo 1 Bedroom Apartments | $3,837 | $2,150 | $9,114 |
| Cheap San Mateo 2 Bedroom Apartments | $4,893 | $2,650 | $10,000+ |
| Cheap San Mateo 3 Bedroom Apartments | $5,825 | $3,121 | $9,396 |
| Cheap San Mateo 4 Bedroom Apartments | $5,470 | $5,470 | $5,470 |
Browse Top Apartments in San Mateo
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San Mateo, CA Local Guide

- San Mateo Neighborhoods
- Nearby Cities
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- School Districts
Cheapest Neighborhoods for Apartments in San Mateo, CA
Pricing Updated: 07/22/2026Current 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 Park | $4,191 | $2,250 | 9 |
| Baywood Aragon | $4,314 | $2,575 | 6 |
| North Central | $6,052 | $2,150 | 9 |
Cheapest Available San Mateo Apartments for Rent
 The cheapest available apartment rental in San Mateo, CA is a Studio unit found at Country Club in the Central San Mateo neighborhood priced from $2,095. Belmont Family Apartments in the Belmont neighborhood has the second lowest priced unit, which is a 1 Bed apartment currently listed from $2,278. Here is today’s list of the most affordable San Mateo apartments for rent:
| Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Priced From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Country Club | Studio | Studio,1BA | $2,095 |
| Belmont Family Apartments | 1 Bedroom | 1BR,1BA | $2,278 |
| Hillsdale Garden | Studio | Studio,1BA | $2,648 |
| Madison Place | 1 x 1 | 1BR,1BA | $2,695 |
| Two Clark Drive Apartments | 1 Bedroom/1 Bathroom | 1BR,1BA | $2,750 |
| Oakview | 1x1C | 1BR,1BA | $2,825 |
| Alta off the Avenue | One Bedroom A | 1BR,1BA | $2,900 |
| Belmont Square Apartments | 2x1 | 2BR,2BA | $2,995 |
| eaves Foster City | A1 | 1BR,1BA | $3,081 |
| Sofi Belmont Hills | Studio | Studio,1BA | $3,177 |
Best Value Apartments for Rent in San Mateo, CA
As of July 22, 2026 the best value apartment in the San Mateo area is the $3.58 price per square foot Two Bedroom One and One Half Bath Townhome Model at The Preston at Hillsdale in the in the Pilgrim-Triton neighborhood starting from $4,125. The second greatest value San Mateo apartment is the TMA 2+2 Model at Ralston at Belmont starting at $4,232 with a $4.03 price per square foot in the Belmont 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. |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Preston at Hillsdale | Two Bedroom One and One Half Bath Townhome | 2BR,1.5BA | $3.58 |
| Ralston at Belmont | TMA 2+2 | 2BR,2BA | $4.03 |
| Ambassador Apartments | 2x2 | 2BR,2BA | $3.57 |
| Belmont Square Apartments | 2x1 | 2BR,2BA | $3.27 |
| Glendora Apartments | Glendora 1x1wd | 1BR,1BA | $3.86 |
| Two Clark Drive Apartments | 1 Bedroom/1 Bathroom | 1BR,1BA | $3.44 |
| Oakview | 1x1C | 1BR,1BA | $3.58 |
| Alta off the Avenue | One Bedroom A | 1BR,1BA | $4.04 |
| Madison Place | 1x1rw | 1BR,1BA | $3.93 |
| Belmont Family Apartments | 1 Bedroom | 1BR,1BA | $4.22 |
Don't Settle: How to Negotiate Your Apartment Lease and Save Money
Discover the insider tips from an attorney and real estate agent on how to negotiate your next apartment lease. Find out what's on the table and what's not, so you can save money and get the best terms possible.
Read ArticleLocal Guide To the Best Student Friendly Neighborhoods to Rent Near Colleges in San Francisco
A Local Experts guide to the Best Student Friendly Neighborhoods Near Colleges in the Bay area for affordable living. Find your perfect San Francisco Student apartment, condo, or rental home today at ApartmentHomeliving.com
Read ArticleReal Estate and Rental Term Glossary | ApartmentHomeLiving.com Renter University
From the letter A all the way to the letter Z, the Real Estate and Rental Term Glossary from the content team at ApartmentHomeLiving.com provides our visitors and shoppers with a little clarity and helpful guidance in navigating the real estate world through definitions and explainers for the top subjects and terms that someone may come across during the leasing, buying, or selling process.
Read ArticleQuick Rent Budget Calculator
How much rent can you afford?
The common "Rule of Thumb" is that rent should be no more than 30% of your income. How much is that? Enter your monthly income and click "Calculate My Budget" to find out.
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.
San Mateo, CAPopulation: 105,025
Ranked #295
in US Census Population by City
Best Local Schools in San Mateo, CA
George Hall Elementary
Parkside Montessori
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
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 $3,177.
What is the price of a cheap apartment in San Mateo?
The cheapest apartment in San Mateo is Belmont Family Apartments which is listed at $2,278, while the average apartment in San Mateo costs $4,852.
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 1 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 $524 which is $4,328 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in San Mateo.
Expert Rental Resources
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.
Helpful Local Expert Guides

Bay Living Like a Local: The Insider's Guide to Life and Renting in San Francisco, CA
Written by: Shannon Hilson
San Francisco is so much more than just postcard-perfect views of cable cars and the Golden Gate Bridge.

Where to Live, Where to Work: Your Guide to Top Neighborhoods to Rent Near San Francisco's 5 Best Employers
Written by: Shannon Hilson
Deciding to move to San Francisco for work is a huge deal. San Fran is exciting and just weird enough to let you know you’re in for an amazing adventure, right from day one.

Local Guide To the Best Student Friendly Neighborhoods to Rent Near Colleges in San Francisco
Written by: Shannon Hilson
Naturally, going away to college or university is super exciting in and of itself. It’s the prelude to the rest of your life, not to mention an unforgettable experience all its own.

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.
Articles, How-To's, and Tips

Rent According to Income: A Look at Income-Restricted Rentals
Written by: Robin Stewart
The idea of affordable housing can be subjective. Every individual is in a different place financially and vocationally. What one may easily afford could be a struggle for someone else.

Renters Insurance 101: What It Is, What It Covers, and Why You Need It
Written by: Robin Stewart
Insurance seems to be a part of life. In some states, having insurance is the law, as is the case for automobile insurance. Renters are no exception.

Apartment Occupancy Rates: Renter Attraction vs Renter Retention
Written by: Robin Stewart
There’s a tenet in marketing about client or customer attraction and retention. Studies and data have consistently shown it costs less to keep a current customer than to attract a new one.

How I Find the Perfect Rental for My Clients: A Real Estate Pro's Guide
Written by: Robin Stewart
Evaluating rental properties for clients draws many parallels to house-hunting. Whether an apartment, loft, townhouse, or other rental, finding the right place means finding “home” for your client.