Cheap Apartments for Rent in San Mateo, CA from $1,300 (136 Rentals)

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Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in San Mateo.

What Does “Rent Burdened” Mean? How Much Rent Is Too Much

Learn the official definition (spending 30% or more of your gross income on housing) and how to calculate your exact rent-to-income ratio. This guide offers expert tips on factoring in total housing costs (including utilities and fees) and budgeting accurately to avoid unnecessary financial strain.

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property at 39 Hobart Ave

$2,800

Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$2,800
Total Monthly Price
$2,800

1 Bedroom, 1 Bath Home for Rent

Available Now

39 Hobart Ave

San MateoCA94402

Your Guide to Co-Signers: The Risks, Rewards, and Everything in Between

Thinking about getting a co-signer for your rental application? We break down what a co-signer is, the potential benefits, and the serious risks for both parties. Find out if it's the right choice for you.

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property at 828 N El Camino Real

$2,900

Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$2,900
Total Monthly Price
$2,900

1 Bedroom, 1 Bath Condo for Rent

Available May 1

828 N El Camino Real, Unit 8, Unit 8

828 N El Camino Real
San MateoCA94401

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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Bridgepointe
$3,276 - $8,431
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$3,276 - $8,431
Total Monthly Price
Varies
1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments Available Apr 29

Bridgepointe

1987 Bridgepointe PkySan Mateo, CA 94404
Family Friendly
  • Verified
  • Customer Reviewed
  • 3D Tour
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Brickline Flats
Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments

Brickline Flats

303 Baldwin AveSan Mateo, CA 94401
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116 Elm St
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

116 Elm St

116 Elm StSan Mateo, CA 94401
  • Utilities Included
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Montara
1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Montara

2775 S Delaware StSan Mateo, CA 94403
  • Utilities Included

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.

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816 Highland Ave
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

816 Highland Ave

816 Highland AveSan Mateo, CA 94401
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Kiku Crossing
Studio to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Kiku Crossing

480 E 4th AveSan Mateo, CA 94401
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227 Elm St
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

227 Elm St

227 Elm StSan Mateo, CA 94401
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130-132 Dartmouth Rd
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

130-132 Dartmouth Rd

130-132 Dartmouth RdSan Mateo, CA 94402
  • Utilities Included
  • Smoke Free
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1950 Ivy St
1 Bedroom Apartments

1950 Ivy St

1950 Ivy StSan Mateo, CA 94403
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Gateway Apartments
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Gateway Apartments

438 N El Camino RealSan Mateo, CA 94401
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Park Central
1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Park Central

724 Laurel AveSan Mateo, CA 94401

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.

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San Mateo, CA Local Guide

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Written By:
Staff Writer
Local Guide Expert

Cheapest Neighborhoods for Apartments in San Mateo, CA

Pricing Updated: 04/23/2026

Current 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:

NeighborhoodMedian PriceMin PriceAvailable Units
Baywood Aragon$4,890$2,29514
Baywood Park$4,890$1,85022
North Central$5,924$2,15015

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. Hill Garden Apartments in the Central neighborhood has the second lowest priced unit, which is a 1 Bed apartment currently listed from $2,165. Here is today’s list of the most affordable San Mateo apartments for rent:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
Country ClubStudioStudio,1BA$2,095
Hill Garden Apartments1 Bedroom 1 Bath1BR,1BA$2,165
Hillsdale GardenStudioStudio,1BA$2,414
Alta off the AvenueStudio BStudio,1BA$2,550
Madison Place1 x 11BR,1BA$2,575
3633 Colegrove Apartments1B/1B1BR,1BA$2,595
San Carlos Apartments LLC1 Bed 1 Bath1BR,1BA$2,595
The Riley at Belmont Hills1 + 11BR,1BA$2,600
Colonial Garden ApartmentsPlan 11BR,1BA$2,637
Sofi Belmont HillsStudioStudio,1BA$2,652

Best Value Apartments for Rent in San Mateo, CA

As of April 23, 2026 the best value apartment in the San Mateo area is the $3.51 price per square foot Three Bedroom One and One Half Bathroom Townhome Model at The Preston at Hillsdale in the in the Pilgrim-Triton neighborhood starting from $4,362. The second greatest value San Mateo apartment is the Plan D2: 2 Bed 1 Bath Model at Crestview Apartments starting at $3,400 with a $3.24 price per square foot in the Central neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for San Mateo apartments based on price per square foot:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPrice Per Sq.Ft.
The Preston at HillsdaleThree Bedroom One and One Half Bathroom Townhome3BR,1.5BA$3.51
Crestview ApartmentsPlan D2: 2 Bed 1 Bath2BR,1BA$3.24
Lantern CoveCedarwood2BR,2BA$3.53
Crown Towers Apartments1062BR,1BA$3.20
Belmont Square Apartments2x12BR,1BA$3.05
Two Clark Drive Apartments1 Bedroom/1 Bathroom1BR,1BA$3.44
The Riley at Belmont Hills1 + 11BR,1BA$3.29
Hillside GardensCastle Peak1BR,1BA$3.60
Madison Place1x1rw1BR,1BA$3.93
3633 Colegrove Apartments1B/1B1BR,1BA$3.86

10 Hidden Costs of Renting You Should Budget for Before Signing a Lease

Avoid financial stress when renting. Learn about the 10 most common hidden costs—from pet fees to utilities—you must budget for before you sign a lease.

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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.

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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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Local 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

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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.

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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.

San Mateo, CA
Population: 105,025

Ranked #295

in US Census Population by City

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Best Local Schools in
San Mateo, CA

School data provided by Great Schools

Remember the 3 Rules of Real Estate:
Location, Location, Location!

Explore San Mateo, CA Rentals by Map

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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 $2,652.

What is the price of a cheap apartment in San Mateo?

The cheapest apartment in San Mateo is Hill Garden Apartments which is listed at $2,165, while the average apartment in San Mateo costs $5,234.

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 6 regular apartments in San Mateo that we think qualify as ‘cheap apartments’ that do not have special requirements to apply to rent.

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

decorative image for A San Francisco Local Expert’s Guide to the Top Budget-Friendly Bay Area Neighborhoods to Rent article

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.

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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.

decorative image for Where to Live, Where to Work: Your Guide to Top Neighborhoods to Rent Near San Francisco's 5 Best Employers article

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.

decorative image for Bay Living Like a Local: The Insiders Guide to Life and Renting in San Francisco, CA article

Bay Living Like a Local: The Insiders 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.

Articles, How-To's, and Tips

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Expert Solutions for Creating the Perfect Work-From-Home Apartment Layouts

Written by: Lauren Harrington

This article is based on first-hand experience managing apartment communities and helping renters adapt to their spaces after moving in.

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What Does “Rent Burdened” Mean? How Much Rent Is Too Much

Written by: Lauren Harrington

This article draws from first-hand renter experiences and recurring financial challenges reported after moving in.

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Maximizing Your Refund: Essential Tax Tips for Renters

Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.

Other than tax professionals, I can’t think of anyone who looks forward to tax season. For everybody else, April is a stressful month to collect information and meet deadlines.

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18 Must-Ask Rental Tour Questions That Reveal the Truth about a Property

Written by: Lauren Harrington

Renting your next home can feel thrilling and overwhelming at the same time.