Cheap Apartments for Rent in San Mateo County, CA from $600 (46 Rentals)

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

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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Hillcrest Gardens
1 Bedroom Apartments

Hillcrest Gardens

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

Walnut Studios

817 Walnut StSan Carlos, CA 94070
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Middlefield Junction
1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Middlefield Junction

2700 Middlefield RdRedwood City, CA 94063
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180 Harrison Ave
1 Bedroom Apartments

180 Harrison Ave

180 Harrison AveRedwood City, CA 94062

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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Brickline Flats
Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments

Brickline Flats

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

824-828 El Camino Real

824-828 El Camino RealSan Bruno, CA 94066
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Greenwood Apartments
Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments

Greenwood Apartments

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

Bradford Apartments

780 Bradford StRedwood City, CA 94063
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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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529 Hampshire Ave
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

529 Hampshire Ave

529 Hampshire AveRedwood City, CA 94063
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116 Elm St
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

116 Elm St

116 Elm StSan Mateo, CA 94401
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670 Live Oak Ave
Studio Apartments

670 Live Oak Ave

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

Brosnan Apartments

300 Brosnan CtSouth San Francisco, CA 94080
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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.

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Fernmar North
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Fernmar North

208 Holly AveSouth San Francisco, CA 94080
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Hillside Courtyard
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Hillside Courtyard

415-417 A StDaly City, CA 94014

The Ultimate Long-Distance Moving Checklist: Tips from a Real Estate Pro

Moving is tough, especially long-distance. Learn how to minimize stress & expenses with proven strategies from a real estate pro, covering everything from logistics to finances.

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20 Marcie Cir
1 Bedroom Apartments

20 Marcie Cir

20 Marcie CirSouth San Francisco, CA 94080
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355 Southgate Ave
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

355 Southgate Ave

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

1410 Jefferson Ave

1410 Jefferson AveRedwood City, CA 94062
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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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35 Kent Ct
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

35 Kent Ct

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

Eastmoor Apartments

101 Eastmoor AveDaly City, CA 94015
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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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Daly City Apartments
Studio to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Daly City Apartments

1145-1157 Edgeworth AveDaly City, CA 94015
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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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Oakview
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Oakview

3135 Campus DrSan Mateo, CA 94403
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Showing Results 1-46, Page 1 of 1

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. 3633 Colegrove Apartments in the Sugarloaf neighborhood has the second lowest priced unit, which is a Studio apartment currently listed from $1,945. 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
3633 Colegrove ApartmentsStudioStudio,1BA$1,945
Apartment in San Carlos Creek0BR/1.0BAStudio,1BA$2,040
Perry Street StudiosStudioStudio,1BA$2,050
MonticelloStudioStudio,1BA$2,095
Whitman Manor1-Bedroom1BR,1BA$2,100
Peninsula Pines ApartmentsThe Beach PineStudio,1BA$2,100
Westlake ApartmentsS2-CStudio,1BA$2,105
JuniperS2-PStudio,1BA$2,110
Village at the Crossing 55+ Senior CommunityOne Bedroom1BR,1BA$2,135

Best Value Apartments for Rent in San Mateo County, CA

As of September 19, 2025 the best value apartment in the San Mateo County area is the $2.14 price per square foot 125 Chestnut Ave Model at 125 Chestnut Ave, Unit Unit- in the in the Pacific Heights neighborhood starting from $6,000. The second greatest value San Mateo County apartment is the 2 Bedrooms + Family Room Model at 718 N Claremont St starting at $3,200 with a $2.67 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.
125 Chestnut Ave, Unit Unit-125 Chestnut Ave4BR,2.5BA$2.14
718 N Claremont St2 Bedrooms + Family Room2BR,1BA$2.67
AcappellaA31BR,1BA$3.13
Garden Oaks Apartments2 Bedroom2BR,1BA$3.13
515 N El Camino Real2 Beds, 1 bath2BR,1BA$3.00
412 Richmond Dr2 bed 1 bath2BR,1BA$2.84
Belmont Square Apartments2x12BR,1BA$3.05
El Rancho Apartments2 bedroom2BR,1BA$3.15
Woodland Park1-1 Apartment1BR,1BA$3.08
Villa Tuscany Apartment Homes1 Bedroom1BR,1BA$3.01

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 $2,135.

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

The cheapest apartment in San Mateo County is Whitman Manor which is listed at $2,100, while the average apartment in San Mateo County costs $7,070.

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 37 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 $190 which is $6,880 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in San Mateo County.

Expert Rental Resources

Helpful Apartment Articles, How-To's and Tips

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.

decorative image for How to Negotiate Your Apartment Lease and Save Money article

How to Negotiate Your Apartment Lease and Save Money

Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.

Everything is a negotiation in real estate! 

decorative image for The Rental Move-In Inspection Checklist: A Guide for Renters article

The Rental Move-In Inspection Checklist: A Guide for Renters

Written by: Trey Huguley

The move-in inspection checklist is a crucial tool for both tenants and landlords. This checklist, provided by the team at ApartmentHomeLiving.com, helps document the condition of an apartment at the time of move-in.

decorative image for Your Guide to Co-Signers: The Risks, Rewards, and Everything in Between article

Your Guide to Co-Signers: The Risks, Rewards, and Everything in Between

Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.

For many people, obstacles can arise during the rental application process for a variety of issues.

decorative image for The Ultimate Long-Distance Moving Checklist: Tips from a Real Estate Pro article

The Ultimate Long-Distance Moving Checklist: Tips from a Real Estate Pro

Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.

Hard truth. Moving is never easy. I’ve done it all – from local moves to cross-country relocations From packing to unpacking the last box, I have found moving to be an exhausting, expensive and stressful experience every time.