Cheap Apartments for Rent in San Mateo County, CA from $600 (48 Rentals)

How Many Bedrooms?Done
Select your price rangeDone
to
Note: Properties with the Total Monthly Price badge include all required fees. Hover over the badge for details.
Lifestyle Matching SearchDone
By AmenitiesDone
By Community TypeDone
Features and AvailabilityDone
Done

Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in San Mateo County.

close
View Me
Woodland Park
Rent Specials
$1,650 - $3,150
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$1,650 - $3,150

Total Monthly Price
$1,650 - $3,150
Studio to 4 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

Woodland Park

45 Newell RdEast Palo Alto, CA 94303
  • Verified
  • Customer Reviewed
  • 3D Tour
close
View Me
517 Hanover St, Unit InLaw
$1,700
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$1,700

Total Monthly Price
$1,700
1 Bedroom Apartment Available Now

517 Hanover St, Unit InLaw

517 Hanover StDaly City, CA 94014
Furnished
  • Smoke Free

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.

close
View Me
Hillcrest Gardens
1 Bedroom Apartments

Hillcrest Gardens

35 Hillcrest DrDaly City, CA 94014
Senior Living
close
View Me
Walnut Studios
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Walnut Studios

817 Walnut StSan Carlos, CA 94070
  • Utilities Included
close
View Me
Middlefield Junction
1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Middlefield Junction

2700 Middlefield RdRedwood City, CA 94063
  • Utilities Included
close
View Me
180 Harrison Ave
1 Bedroom Apartments

180 Harrison Ave

180 Harrison AveRedwood City, CA 94062

Roommate Matching: Finding the Right Fit and Avoiding Pitfalls

When searching for a roommate, follow this list of essential steps and set clear expectations to create a solid foundation for a harmonious living situation.

close
View Me
Brickline Flats
Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments

Brickline Flats

303 Baldwin AveSan Mateo, CA 94401
close
View Me
824-828 El Camino Real
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

824-828 El Camino Real

824-828 El Camino RealSan Bruno, CA 94066
  • Utilities Included
close
View Me
Greenwood Apartments
Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments

Greenwood Apartments

1150 Greenwood AveSan Carlos, CA 94070
close
View Me
Bradford Apartments
Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments

Bradford Apartments

780 Bradford StRedwood City, CA 94063
close
View Me
Chateau D'Oro Apartments
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Chateau D'Oro Apartments

1001 Continentals WayBelmont, CA 94002
  • Utilities Included
close
View Me
529 Hampshire Ave
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

529 Hampshire Ave

529 Hampshire AveRedwood City, CA 94063
  • Utilities Included
close
View Me
116 Elm St
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

116 Elm St

116 Elm StSan Mateo, CA 94401
  • Utilities Included

The Art of the Rental Viewing: What to look for during a property tour

Touring a rental? This guide helps you know exactly what to look for, from safety features to hidden flaws, so you can confidently sign your lease or keep searching.

close
View Me
670 Live Oak Ave
Studio Apartments

670 Live Oak Ave

670 Live Oak AveMenlo Park, CA 94025
close
View Me
Brosnan Apartments
1 Bedroom Apartments

Brosnan Apartments

300 Brosnan CtSouth San Francisco, CA 94080
  • Utilities Included
close
View Me
Fernmar North
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Fernmar North

208 Holly AveSouth San Francisco, CA 94080
  • Utilities Included
close
View Me
Hillside Courtyard
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Hillside Courtyard

415-417 A StDaly City, CA 94014

Smart Renter's Guide: Calculating Affordable Rent & Housing Costs

Wondering how to determine your rental budget? This comprehensive guide covers everything from the 30% rule to hidden fees and effective budgeting strategies.

close
View Me
20 Marcie Cir
1 Bedroom Apartments

20 Marcie Cir

20 Marcie CirSouth San Francisco, CA 94080
  • Utilities Included
close
View Me
355 Southgate Ave
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

355 Southgate Ave

355 Southgate AveDaly City, CA 94015
Furnished
close
View Me
1410 Jefferson Ave
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

1410 Jefferson Ave

1410 Jefferson AveRedwood City, CA 94062
close
View Me
1133-1129 Rhinette Ave
1 Bedroom Apartments

1133-1129 Rhinette Ave

1133-1129 Rhinette AveBurlingame, CA 94010
  • Utilities Included
close
View Me
35 Kent Ct
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

35 Kent Ct

35 Kent CtDaly City, CA 94015
close
View Me
Eastmoor Apartments
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Eastmoor Apartments

101 Eastmoor AveDaly City, CA 94015
  • Utilities Included

Navigating the Rental Market: Tips for First-Time Renters

Entering the rental market? Learn these simple tips and strategies to avoid common pitfalls and make confident choices. Rent with peace of mind.

close
View Me
816 Highland Ave
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

816 Highland Ave

816 Highland AveSan Mateo, CA 94401
close
View Me
The Edgeworth Apartments
Studio to 3 Bedroom Apartments

The Edgeworth Apartments

1145-1157 Edgeworth AveDaly City, CA 94015
  • Utilities Included

Cheapest Available San Mateo County Apartments for Rent

 

The cheapest available apartment rental in San Mateo County, CA is a Studio unit found at Woodland Park in the Duveneck neighborhood priced from $1,650. Redwood Plaza Village , SENIOR BUILDING , 55+ in the Roosevelt neighborhood has the second lowest priced unit, which is a 1 Bed apartment currently listed from $2,000. Here is today’s list of the most affordable San Mateo County apartments for rent:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
Woodland ParkStudioStudio,1BA$1,650
Redwood Plaza Village , SENIOR BUILDING , 55+1 bedroom1BR,1BA$2,000
Country ClubStudioStudio,1BA$2,075
Westlake ApartmentsS1-WStudio,1BA$2,116
417 Stambaugh StOne Bedroom1BR,1BA$2,125
Village at the Crossing 55+ Senior CommunityOne Bedroom1BR,1BA$2,135
Stanford Garden ApartmentsLarge Studio Close to Everything - Private PatioStudio,1BA$2,145
Woodland ArmsUnit 205Studio,1BA$2,145
1410 Hess Road1 Bedroom, 1 Bathroom1BR,1BA$2,195

Best Value Apartments for Rent in San Mateo County, CA

As of February 12, 2026 the best value apartment in the San Mateo County area is the $2.47 price per square foot 21 El Cerrito Ave Model at 21 El Cerrito Ave, Unit 21 in the in the Central San Mateo neighborhood starting from $4,700. The second greatest value San Mateo County apartment is the 3 Bedroom Large Model at West 5th starting at $4,418 with a $2.81 price per square foot in the Central San Mateo neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for San Mateo County apartments based on price per square foot:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPrice Per Sq.Ft.
21 El Cerrito Ave, Unit 2121 El Cerrito Ave2BR,2.5BA$2.47
West 5th3 Bedroom Large3BR,2BA$2.81
257 East Ave, Unit 257 East Ave. Apartments257 East Ave2BR,1BA$2.46
1619 Oxford St2BR/1.5BA2BR,1.5BA$2.85
Evergreen Ridge Apartments9502BR,1BA$3.05
915 Grand Ave915 Grand Ave1BR,1BA$2.95
Belmont Square Apartments2x12BR,1BA$3.05
10 Birch Street1 Bed 1 Bath1BR,1BA$3.03
718 1st Ave, Unit 1718 1st Ave1BR,1BA$2.88
417 Stambaugh StOne Bedroom1BR,1BA$2.79

Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap San Mateo County Apartments

What is a cheap apartment in San Mateo County?

A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in San Mateo County is under $2,195.

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

The cheapest apartment in San Mateo County is Redwood Plaza Village , SENIOR BUILDING , 55+ which is listed at $2,000, while the average apartment in San Mateo County costs $6,672.

What types of apartments are the cheapest in San Mateo County?

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 40 regular apartments in San Mateo County 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 County?

Cheap apartments in San Mateo County have an average cost of $193 which is $6,479 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in San Mateo County.

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.

Articles, How-To's, and Tips

decorative image for Maximizing Your Refund: Essential Tax Tips for Renters article

Maximizing Your Refund: Essential Tax Tips for Renters

Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.

Other than tax professionals, I can’t think of anyone who looks forward to tax season. For everybody else, April is a stressful month to collect information and meet deadlines.

decorative image for 18 Must-Ask Rental Tour Questions That Reveal the Truth about a Property article

18 Must-Ask Rental Tour Questions That Reveal the Truth about a Property

Written by: Lauren Harrington

Renting your next home can feel thrilling and overwhelming at the same time.

decorative image for A Renters Guide for Tips on Writing Your Notice for Not Renewing Your Apartment article

A Renters Guide for Tips on Writing Your Notice for Not Renewing Your Apartment

Written by: Bob Mallory

Packing up everything you own to move is so stressful for many that ending your apartment lease can feel like a small or unimportant task. Ending your lease involves more than simply turning over your keys on the last day.

decorative image for Renting with Roommates: Realistic Expectations for Shared Lease article

Renting with Roommates: Realistic Expectations for Shared Lease

Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.

Given the high costs for housing, I have found that many people are looking for a roommate to share expenses. These arrangements can increase opportunities for more desirable and larger spaces.