
Cheap Apartments for Rent in San Mateo, CA from $1,850 (94 Rentals)
Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in San Mateo.


1757 Nash Dr

3633 Colegrove Apartments

East Hillsdale Apartments

Country Club

South Delaware Apartments

Bermuda Apartments

Fourth Circle

Ivy Circle

Fiesta 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.

Ambassador Apartments

Furnished Studio-San Francisco - San Mateo - SFO

Total Monthly Price
710 Laurel Ave, Unit SI FL2-ID1148

Madison Place

Oakview

Two Clark Drive Apartments

East 19th Avenue Apartments

24 Baytree Way, Unit 2

116 Elm St

3655 Colegrove Apartments
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.

36th Avenue Apartments

Montara

zLaurel Place Apartments

816 Highland Ave

Kiku Crossing

227 Elm St

2831 – 2845 Flores Apartments

21 East 40th Ave.

Mariner's West Apartments

130-132 Dartmouth Rd
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.

1950 Ivy St

Gateway Apartments

Park Central

1113 Haddon Dr

Glendora Apartments

1109 Haddon Dr

Shore Garden Apartments

Flores Manor Apartments

Terrace Hills

433 Turner Terrace
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

960 Palm

The Villa at San Mateo

100 Dartmouth Rd

515 N El Camino Real

The Preston at Hillsdale

46 Madison Ave.

1618 King St

Total Monthly Price
616 Cedar St, Unit B

Tradewind Surf Apartments

Tradewind Surf Apartments
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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 | $3,257 | $1,850 | $4,336 |
| Cheap San Mateo 1 Bedroom Apartments | $3,927 | $2,150 | $9,200 |
| Cheap San Mateo 2 Bedroom Apartments | $4,941 | $2,650 | $10,000+ |
| Cheap San Mateo 3 Bedroom Apartments | $5,970 | $3,275 | $8,001 |
| Cheap San Mateo 4 Bedroom Apartments | $5,400 | $5,400 | $5,400 |
Browse Top Apartments in San Mateo
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San Mateo, CA Local Guide

- San Mateo Neighborhoods
- Nearby Cities
- ZIP codes
- Local Counties
Cheapest Neighborhoods for Apartments in San Mateo, CA
Pricing Updated: 09/06/2026Current apartment rentals in the San Mateo, CA area range in price from $3,195 to $7,250 with an overall median price of $5,361. 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 | $5,015 | $4,250 | 2 |
| North Central | $5,499 | $3,195 | 5 |
Cheapest Available San Mateo Apartments for Rent
 The cheapest available apartment rental in San Mateo, CA is a Studio unit found at 21 East 40th Ave. in the Sugarloaf neighborhood priced from $2,195. Country Club in the Central San Mateo neighborhood has the second lowest priced unit, which is a Studio apartment currently listed from $2,205. Here is today’s list of the most affordable San Mateo apartments for rent:
| Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Priced From |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21 East 40th Ave. | 0BR/1.0BA | Studio,1BA | $2,195 |
| Country Club | Studio | Studio,1BA | $2,205 |
| The Riley at Belmont Hills | Studio | Studio,1BA | $2,363 |
| Fourth Circle | Studio | Studio,1BA | $2,425 |
| Hillsdale Garden | 1 Bed B | 1BR,1BA | $2,525 |
| Madison Place | 1 x 1 | 1BR,1BA | $2,795 |
| The Preston at Hillsdale | One Bedroom One Bath 550 | 1BR,1BA | $2,995 |
| Fosters Landing | Plan 1A | 1BR,1BA | $3,227 |
| 1249-1265 Oak Grove Ave | 1 Beds, 1 Baths | 1BR,1BA | $3,250 |
Best Value Apartments for Rent in San Mateo, CA
As of September 06, 2026 the best value apartment in the San Mateo area is the $3.95 price per square foot 2BR/2.0BA Model at El Dorado Apartments in the in the Belmont neighborhood starting from $4,795. The second greatest value San Mateo apartment is the Wake Model at Waters Edge starting at $4,609 with a $4.19 price per square foot in the Birds 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. |
|---|---|---|---|
| El Dorado Apartments | 2BR/2.0BA | 2BR,2BA | $3.95 |
| Waters Edge | Wake | 2BR,2BA | $4.19 |
| Glendora Apartments | Glendora 1x1wd | 1BR,1BA | $3.97 |
| 400 Studio Cir, Unit 4 | 400 Studio Cir | 2BR,1BA | $4.00 |
| Crestview Apartments | Plan H: 1 Bed 1 Bath | 1BR,1BA | $4.07 |
| 888 San Mateo Apartments | 1xD (AVAIL 10/03/2026) | 1BR,1BA | $4.44 |
| Madison Place | 1 x 1 | 1BR,1BA | $3.93 |
| Hillsdale Garden | 1 Bed A | 1BR,1BA | $4.38 |
| 616 Cedar St, Unit B | 616 Cedar St | Studio ,1BA | $3.08 |
| The Riley at Belmont Hills | Studio | Studio ,1BA | $4.38 |
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 ArticleNavigating the Rental Market: Tips for First-Time Renters
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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 the Cheapest Studio apartment in San Mateo?
Currently the most affordable Cheap Studio Apartment in San Mateo is at 21 East 40th Ave. listed at $2,195.
How much is rent for a Cheap One Bedroom San Mateo Apartment?
The lowest price for a Cheap One Bedroom San Mateo Apartment is $2,525 at Hillsdale Garden.
What is the lowest price for a Cheap Two Bedroom San Mateo Apartment for rent?
Today's best deal for a Cheap Two Bedroom Apartment in San Mateo is starting from $3,388 at Hillsdale Garden.
What is the most affordable San Mateo Three Bedroom Apartment?
The best deal on a cheap San Mateo Three Bedroom Apartment rental is at The Preston at Hillsdale and starts from $4,678.
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

Where to Live Near San Francisco: A Guide to the Best Surrounding Cities for Renters
Written by: Shannon Hilson
San Francisco is absolutely the type of city that pulls a person in right away, and it’s not hard to see why.

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.
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.

Exploring Rental Options: Apartments, Townhomes, and Lofts - Oh My!
Written by: Robin Stewart
Where do you see yourself? When you think of home, sweet home, are you in a 3/2 apartment? Dreaming of a tall townhome? Maybe an industrial loft heavy on cool vibes is on your visioning board.

Practical Tips for Renters: How to Identify a Great Rental and Avoid Red Flags
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Renters want to find a great apartment, the right place for them, one that checks all the boxes of location, rental cost, amenities, safety, and more.

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Hindsight is 20/20. Live and Learn. With age comes wisdom. We’re familiar with all those expressions, and all of them apply to lessons first-time renters learn.