Cheap Apartments for Rent in the South San Mateo Neighborhood of San Mateo, CA from $1,900 (42 Rentals)

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

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40 28th Ave
1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

40 28th Ave

40 28th AveSan Mateo, CA 94403

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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Glendora Gardens
Studio Apartments

Glendora Gardens

3245 Glendora DrSan Mateo, CA 94403
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20 22nd Ave
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

20 22nd Ave

20 22nd AveSan Mateo, CA 94403
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2830 Flores St
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

2830 Flores St

2830 Flores StSan Mateo, CA 94403
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30-32 McAker Ct
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

30-32 McAker Ct

30-32 McAker CtSan Mateo, CA 94403

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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2712 Flores St
1 Bedroom Apartments

2712 Flores St

2712 Flores StSan Mateo, CA 94403
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131 24th Ave
Studio Apartments

131 24th Ave

131 24th AveSan Mateo, CA 94403
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Palos Verdes Apt
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Palos Verdes Apt

1326 Palos Verdes DrSan Mateo, CA 94403
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111 28th Ave
Studio Apartments

111 28th Ave

111 28th AveSan Mateo, CA 94403
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1401 Cedarwood Dr
2 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

1401 Cedarwood Dr

1401 Cedarwood DrSan Mateo, CA 94403

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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Westwood Apartments
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Westwood Apartments

1241 W Hillsdale BlvdSan Mateo, CA 94403
  • Utilities Included
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33 Lodato Ave
1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

33 Lodato Ave

33 Lodato AveSan Mateo, CA 94403
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The Pines
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

The Pines

1333 Palos Verdes DrSan Mateo, CA 94403
  • Utilities Included

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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Parkview Terrace
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Parkview Terrace

1501 W Hillsdale BlvdSan Mateo, CA 94402
  • Utilities Included
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Peninsula Station
1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Peninsula Station

2901-2907 S El Camino RealSan Mateo, CA 94403
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124 27th Ave
Studio Apartments

124 27th Ave

124 27th AveSan Mateo, CA 94403
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51 28th Ave
Studio Apartments

51 28th Ave

51 28th AveSan Mateo, CA 94403
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Montara
1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Montara

2775 S Delaware StSan Mateo, CA 94403
  • Utilities Included

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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40 22nd Ave
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

40 22nd Ave

40 22nd AveSan Mateo, CA 94403
Showing Results 1-42, Page 1 of 1

South San Mateo, San Mateo, CA Local Guide

Cheapest Available South San Mateo Apartments for Rent

 

The cheapest available apartment rental in the South San Mateo area of San Francisco, CA is a 1 Bed unit found at Hillsdale Garden priced from $2,525. Oakview has the second lowest priced unit, which is a 1 Bed apartment currently listed from $2,825. Here are the most affordable South San Mateo apartments for rent in San Francisco, CA:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
Hillsdale Garden1 Bed B1BR,1BA$2,525
Oakview1x1C1BR,1BA$2,825
Crown Towers Apartments2062BR,1BA$3,195
2727 EdisonHawthorne1BR,1BA$3,249

Best Value Apartments for Rent in South San Mateo, CA

As of August 18, 2026 the best value apartment in the South San Mateo area is the $3.36 price per square foot 206 Model at Crown Towers Apartments in the in the Western Hills neighborhood starting from $3,195. The second greatest value South San Mateo apartment is the 2 Bed C Model at Hillsdale Garden starting at $3,922 with a $4.31 price per square foot in the Western Hills neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for South San Mateo apartments based on price per square foot:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPrice Per Sq.Ft.
Crown Towers Apartments2062BR,1BA$3.36
Hillsdale Garden2 Bed C2BR,1BA$4.31
Oakview1x1C1BR,1BA$3.58
2727 EdisonHawthorne1BR,1BA$4.64

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
South San Mateo, San Mateo, CA

Ranked #34

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

Pet Friendliness Lifestyle Score

2.5
Pet Friendly

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Best Local Schools in
South San Mateo, San Mateo, CA

School data provided by Great Schools

Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap South San Mateo Apartments

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

The cheapest apartment in South San Mateo is Hillsdale Garden which is listed at $2,525, while the average apartment in South San Mateo costs $3,253.

What types of apartments are the cheapest in South 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 4 regular apartments in South 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.

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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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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.

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