Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Bays Neighborhood of San Mateo, CA from $1,900 (17 Rentals)

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Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in the Bays area of 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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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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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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Showing Results 1-17, Page 1 of 1

Bays, San Mateo, CA Local Guide

Cheapest Available Bays Apartments for Rent

 

The cheapest available apartment rental in the Bays area of San Francisco, CA is a 1 Bed unit found at Belmont Family Apartments priced from $2,090. Madison Place has the second lowest priced unit, which is a 1 Bed apartment currently listed from $2,695. Here are the most affordable Bays apartments for rent in San Francisco, CA:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
Belmont Family Apartments1 Bedroom1BR,1BA$2,090
Madison Place1 x 11BR,1BA$2,695
The Preston at HillsdaleStudioStudio,1BA$2,796
Laurel Crossing Apartment HomesPoppy Premier1BR,1BA$3,047
CitySouthDelmonico (A1B)1BR,1BA$3,499

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Bays, CA

As of July 01, 2026 the best value apartment in the Bays area is the $4.47 price per square foot Plan 3B Model at Chesapeake Point in the in the Birds neighborhood starting from $4,894. The second greatest value Bays apartment is the The Veranda Model at Bay Terrace starting at $3,991 with a $4.20 price per square foot in the Birds neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Bays apartments based on price per square foot:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPrice Per Sq.Ft.
Chesapeake PointPlan 3B3BR,1.5BA$4.47
Bay TerraceThe Veranda3BR,2BA$4.20
Lakeshore LandingHarbor2BR,2BA$4.65
Harbor Cove2x1-7802BR,1BA$5.01
Laurel Crossing Apartment HomesPoppy Premier1BR,1BA$4.27
Madison Place1x1rw1BR,1BA$3.93
CitySouthDelmonico (A1B)1BR,1BA$5.15
The Preston at HillsdaleStudioStudio ,1BA$5.08
Belmont Family Apartments1 Bedroom1BR,1BA$3.87

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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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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Quick 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.

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Pet Friendly Lifestyle
Bays, San Mateo, CA

Ranked #28

Among cities in California for Apartment listings with Pet Friendly Amenities.

Pet Friendliness Lifestyle Score

4.0
Pet Friendly

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Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Bays Apartments

What is the price of a cheap apartment in Bays?

The cheapest apartment in Bays is Belmont Family Apartments which is listed at $2,090, while the average apartment in Bays costs $4,343.

What types of apartments are the cheapest in Bays?

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 12 regular apartments in Bays 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 Bays?

Cheap apartments in Bays have an average cost of $337 which is $4,006 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in Bays.

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

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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.

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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.

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

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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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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.

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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.

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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.

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Pet-Friendly Renting: Everything You Need to Know Before You Move

Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.

For so many of us, pets are the best companions and a big part of our lives. For this reason, a pet-friendly house or apartment is often a very important - and nonnegotiable - part of a move.