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Rent Specials
$3,895 - $4,845Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments Available Now
Two50 Downtown
250 Baldwin AveSan Mateo, CA 94401
Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Downtown San Mateo Neighborhood of San Mateo, CA from $1,745 (62 Rentals)
Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in the Downtown San Mateo area of San Mateo.
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Contact Us For PricingStudio to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Soon
Alta De Sabla
10 De Sabla RdSan Mateo, CA 94402
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$3,650 - $5,392Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Now
RYAN TOWER
120 W 3rd AveSan Mateo, CA 94402
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$3,216 - $5,3761 to 3 Bedroom Apartments Available Now
West 5th
85 W 5th AveSan Mateo, CA 94402
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$3,3852 Bedroom Apartments Available Sep 20
One Three Four Elm Apartments
142 Elm StSan Mateo, CA 94401
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$4,490 - $7,5181 to 3 Bedroom Apartments Available Now
Metropolitan
338 S Fremont StSan Mateo, CA 94401
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Contact Us For PricingStudio to 2 Bedroom Apartments Contact Us For Availability
Casa Baywood
212 S El Camino RealSan Mateo, CA 94401
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$2,425Studio Apartments Available Now
Fourth Circle
1022 E 4th AveSan Mateo, CA 94401
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$4,2002 Bedroom Apartments Available Now
Park Laurel Apartments
710 Laurel AveSan Mateo, CA 94401
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Studio Apartments
The Peninsula Regent
1 Baldwin AveSan Mateo, CA 94401
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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Studio Apartments
Mark Diablo Apartments
200 Elm StSan Mateo, CA 94401
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1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments
41 N Claremont St
41 N Claremont StSan Mateo, CA 94401
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1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments
130-132 Dartmouth Rd
130-132 Dartmouth RdSan Mateo, CA 94402
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1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments
Versailles
10 Crystal Springs RdSan Mateo, CA 94402
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2 to 3 Bedroom Apartments
2 W 3rd Ave
2 W 3rd AveSan Mateo, CA 94401
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1 Bedroom Apartments
The Stratford
601 Laurel AveSan Mateo, CA 94401
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1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments
603 E 5th Ave
603 E 5th AveSan Mateo, CA 94402
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2 Bedroom Apartments
907 9th Ave
907 9th AveSan Mateo, CA 94402
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2 Bedroom Apartments
71 9th Ave
71 9th AveSan Mateo, CA 94401
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2 Bedroom Apartments
606 S Idaho St
606 S Idaho StSan Mateo, CA 94402
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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Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments
726 E 5th Ave
726 E 5th AveSan Mateo, CA 94402
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1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments
701 E 9th Ave
701 E 9th AveSan Mateo, CA 94402
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1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments
222 S Fremont St
222 S Fremont StSan Mateo, CA 94401
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Studio Apartments
42 Hayward Ave
42 Hayward AveSan Mateo, CA 94401
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Studio Apartments
Fremont Terrace
200 S Fremont StSan Mateo, CA 94401
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1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments
El Colorado
35-45 W 4th AveSan Mateo, CA 94402
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1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments
54 9th Ave
54 9th AveSan Mateo, CA 94401
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Studio Apartments
West Third Avenue Apartments
146 W 3rd AveSan Mateo, CA 94402
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2 Bedroom Apartments
718 10th Ave
718 10th AveSan Mateo, CA 94402
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Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments
103-109 Dartmouth Rd
103-109 Dartmouth RdSan Mateo, CA 94402
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.
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Studio Apartments
232 S Humboldt St
232 S Humboldt StSan Mateo, CA 94401
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1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments
77 N Ellsworth Ave
77 N Ellsworth AveSan Mateo, CA 94401
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2 to 3 Bedroom Apartments
48 A-D Ellsworth Ave
48 A-D Ellsworth AveSan Mateo, CA 94401
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Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments
Mateo Garden Apartments
22 N San Mateo DrSan Mateo, CA 94401
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Studio Apartments
602 S Eldorado St
602 S Eldorado StSan Mateo, CA 94402
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Studio Apartments
611 S Eldorado St
611 S Eldorado StSan Mateo, CA 94402
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Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments
512 S Grant St
512 S Grant StSan Mateo, CA 94402
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1 Bedroom Apartments
717 S Eldorado St
717 S Eldorado StSan Mateo, CA 94402
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2 to 3 Bedroom Apartments
525-527 S Humboldt St
525-527 S Humboldt StSan Mateo, CA 94402
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Studio to 3 Bedroom Apartments
106-120 Tilton Ave
106-120 Tilton AveSan Mateo, CA 94401
How I Find the Perfect Rental for My Clients: A Real Estate Pro's Guide
Finding the right apartment starts with three things: location, cost, and amenities. Get the insider perspective from a real estate professional on how to nail all three.
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Studio Apartments
1104 7th Ave
1104 7th AveSan Mateo, CA 94402
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1 Bedroom Apartments
811 Laurel Ave
811 Laurel AveSan Mateo, CA 94401
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Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments
11 S Delaware St
11 S Delaware StSan Mateo, CA 94401
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Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments
312 Catalpa St
312 Catalpa StSan Mateo, CA 94401
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1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments
602 Cypress Ave
602 Cypress AveSan Mateo, CA 94401
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2 to 3 Bedroom Apartments
805 2nd Ave
805 2nd AveSan Mateo, CA 94401
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Studio to 3 Bedroom Apartments
Kiku Crossing
480 E 4th AveSan Mateo, CA 94401
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1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments
Park Central
724 Laurel AveSan Mateo, CA 94401
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1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments
111 Elm St
111 Elm StSan Mateo, CA 94401
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1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments
100 Dartmouth Rd
100 Dartmouth RdSan Mateo, CA 94402
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.
Showing Results 1-50, Page 1 of 2
Downtown San Mateo, San Mateo, CA Local Guide
How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Downtown San Mateo?
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown San Mateo Studio Apartments | $3,238 | $2,425 | $3,895 |
| Downtown San Mateo 1 Bedroom Apartments | $4,478 | $3,100 | $5,349 |
| Downtown San Mateo 2 Bedroom Apartments | $6,121 | $3,385 | $6,900 |
| Downtown San Mateo 3 Bedroom Apartments | $6,438 | $5,285 | $7,427 |
Browse Apartments in this Neighborhood
There are currently 62 rentals with your search options within a 2 mile radius of the Downtown San Mateo Neighborhood of San Mateo, CA.
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Cheapest Available Downtown San Mateo Apartments for Rent
The cheapest available apartment rental in the Downtown San Mateo area of San Francisco, CA is a Studio unit found at Fourth Circle priced from $2,425. West 5th has the second lowest priced unit, which is a 1 Bed apartment currently listed from $3,216. Here are the most affordable Downtown San Mateo apartments for rent in San Francisco, CA:
| Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Priced From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fourth Circle | Studio | Studio,1BA | $2,425 |
| West 5th | 1 Bedroom | 1BR,1BA | $3,216 |
| RYAN TOWER | 1x1 | 1BR,1BA | $3,650 |
| Two50 Downtown | Studio 550 sq ft | Studio,1BA | $3,895 |
| Park Laurel Apartments | Fully Updated 2Bed/1Bath | 2BR,1BA | $4,200 |
| Brickline Flats | Plan 1F | 1BR,1BA | $4,976 |
| Metropolitan | Plan 3AR | 3BR,2BA | $7,012 |
Best Value Apartments for Rent in Downtown San Mateo, CA
As of September 11, 2026 the best value apartment in the Downtown San Mateo area is the $4.92 price per square foot Plan 3AR Model at Metropolitan in the in the Central San Mateo neighborhood starting from $7,012. The second greatest value Downtown San Mateo apartment is the Fully Updated 2Bed/1Bath Model at Park Laurel Apartments starting at $4,200 with a $4.67 price per square foot in the Central San Mateo neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Downtown San Mateo apartments based on price per square foot:
| Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Price Per Sq.Ft. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metropolitan | Plan 3AR | 3BR,2BA | $4.92 |
| Park Laurel Apartments | Fully Updated 2Bed/1Bath | 2BR,1BA | $4.67 |
| RYAN TOWER | 2x1 | 2BR,1BA | $5.72 |
| West 5th | 1 Bedroom | 1BR,1BA | $4.65 |
| Brickline Flats | Plan 1F | 1BR,1BA | $9.01 |
| Two50 Downtown | Studio 540 sq ft | Studio ,1BA | $7.21 |
| Fourth Circle | Studio | Studio ,1BA | $4.85 |
Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Downtown San Mateo Apartments
What is the Cheapest Studio apartment in Downtown San Mateo?
Currently the most affordable Cheap Studio Apartment in Downtown San Mateo is at Fourth Circle listed at $2,425.
How much is rent for a Cheap One Bedroom Downtown San Mateo Apartment?
The lowest price for a Cheap One Bedroom Downtown San Mateo Apartment is $3,216 at West 5th.
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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Where to Live Near San Francisco: A Guide to the Best Surrounding Cities for Renters
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Rent According to Income: A Look at Income-Restricted Rentals
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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.
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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.
First Apartment Regrets: Real Renters Share What They'd Do Differently
Written by: Robin Stewart
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.