Cheap Apartments for Rent in San Mateo, CA from $1,600 (60 Rentals)

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116 Elm St
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

116 Elm St

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

Montara

2775 S Delaware StSan Mateo, CA 94403
  • Utilities Included
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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

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.

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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
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1113 Haddon Dr
1 Bedroom Apartments

1113 Haddon Dr

1113 Haddon DrSan Mateo, CA 94402
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1109 Haddon Dr
1 Bedroom Apartments

1109 Haddon Dr

1109 Haddon DrSan Mateo, CA 94402
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property at 6 Seville Way

$2,600

1 Bedroom, 1 Bath Condo for Rent

Available Now

6 Seville Way

San MateoCA94402

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.

property at 924 Hill St

$2,496

Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$2,496

Total Monthly Price
$2,496

1 Bedroom, 1 Bath Townhome for Rent

Available Now

924 Hill St

BelmontCA94002
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Chateau D'Oro Apartments
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Chateau D'Oro Apartments

1001 Continentals WayBelmont, CA 94002
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1133-1129 Rhinette Ave
1 Bedroom Apartments

1133-1129 Rhinette Ave

1133-1129 Rhinette AveBurlingame, CA 94010
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17-25 Devonshire
Studio to 3 Bedroom Apartments

17-25 Devonshire

17-25 Devonshire BlvdSan Carlos, CA 94070

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

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Catania Apartments
Studio to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Catania Apartments

2431 Carlmont DrBelmont, CA 94002
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Highland Apartments
Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments

Highland Apartments

115 Highland AveBurlingame, CA 94010
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Carlmont Heights
1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Carlmont Heights

2213 Hastings DrBelmont, CA 94002
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Cedar Patio Apartments
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Cedar Patio Apartments

547 Cedar StSan Carlos, CA 94070
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Sand Castle Apartments
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Sand Castle Apartments

1125 Balclutha DrFoster City, CA 94404
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Laurel Terrace
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Laurel Terrace

399 Laurel StSan Carlos, CA 94070
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6th Ave
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

6th Ave

1665 6th AveBelmont, CA 94002

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

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Local Guide Expert

Cheapest Neighborhoods for Apartments in San Mateo, CA

Pricing Updated: 07/22/2026

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 Park$4,191$2,2509
Baywood Aragon$4,314$2,5756
North Central$6,052$2,1509

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 ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
Country ClubStudioStudio,1BA$2,095
Belmont Family Apartments1 Bedroom1BR,1BA$2,278
Hillsdale GardenStudioStudio,1BA$2,648
Madison Place1 x 11BR,1BA$2,695
Two Clark Drive Apartments1 Bedroom/1 Bathroom1BR,1BA$2,750
Oakview1x1C1BR,1BA$2,825
Alta off the AvenueOne Bedroom A1BR,1BA$2,900
Belmont Square Apartments2x12BR,2BA$2,995
eaves Foster CityA11BR,1BA$3,081
Sofi Belmont HillsStudioStudio,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 ListingModel NameBed/BathPrice Per Sq.Ft.
The Preston at HillsdaleTwo Bedroom One and One Half Bath Townhome2BR,1.5BA$3.58
Ralston at BelmontTMA 2+22BR,2BA$4.03
Ambassador Apartments2x22BR,2BA$3.57
Belmont Square Apartments2x12BR,2BA$3.27
Glendora ApartmentsGlendora 1x1wd1BR,1BA$3.86
Two Clark Drive Apartments1 Bedroom/1 Bathroom1BR,1BA$3.44
Oakview1x1C1BR,1BA$3.58
Alta off the AvenueOne Bedroom A1BR,1BA$4.04
Madison Place1x1rw1BR,1BA$3.93
Belmont Family Apartments1 Bedroom1BR,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.

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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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Real 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.

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

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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 $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.

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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.

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