Cheap Apartments for Rent in San Carlos, CA from $900 (18 Rentals)

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Cheap Apartments in San Carlos.

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180 Harrison Ave
1 Bedroom Apartments

180 Harrison Ave

180 Harrison AveRedwood City, CA 94062

Navigating the Rental Market: Tips for First-Time Renters

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Chateau D'Oro Apartments
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Chateau D'Oro Apartments

1001 Continentals WayBelmont, CA 94002
  • Utilities Included
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1410 Jefferson Ave
1 Bedroom Apartments

1410 Jefferson Ave

1410 Jefferson AveRedwood City, CA 94062
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Catania Apartments
1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Catania Apartments

2431 Carlmont DrBelmont, CA 94002
  • Utilities Included

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Read our practical guide to landlord and tenant rights. Understand protected classes, reasonable accommodations, and legal exceptions to prevent housing discrimination.

San Carlos, CA Local Guide

Photo of Justin Habersaat - Editing Staff
Written By:
Justin Habersaat
Editing Staff

Cheapest Neighborhoods for Apartments in San Carlos, CA

Pricing Updated: 05/02/2025

Current apartment rentals in the San Carlos, CA area range in price from $916 to $10,480 with an overall median price of $5,475. The three San Carlos neighborhoods with the lowest median rent pricing are Eaton at $916, Brittan Heights at $916, and Arguello at $916. Here is today’s list of the top 5 neighborhoods with the lowest median pricing for San Carlos Apartments for rent:

NeighborhoodMedian PriceMin PriceAvailable Units
Eaton$3,415$9168
Brittan Heights$5,974$91626
Arguello$5,980$91632
McDougal$5,980$91632
White Oaks$6,026$91639

Cheapest Available San Carlos Apartments for Rent

 

The cheapest available apartment rental in San Carlos, CA is a Studio unit found at Bonnie Brae Terrace in the Western Hills neighborhood priced from $1,750. 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 $1,950. Here is today’s list of the most affordable San Carlos apartments for rent:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
Bonnie Brae TerraceStudioStudio,1BA$1,750
Redwood Plaza Village , SENIOR BUILDING , 55+1 bedroom1BR,1BA$1,950
Courtyard Apartments1x1S1BR,1BA$2,295
Marymount TowerOne Bedroom1BR,1BA$2,295
The Riley at Belmont HillsStudioStudio,1BA$2,313

Best Value Apartments for Rent in San Carlos, CA

As of May 02, 2025 the best value apartment in the San Carlos area is the $3.04 price per square foot 2x2 Model at The Wellesley Crescent Apartments in the in the McDougal neighborhood starting from $3,195. The second greatest value San Carlos apartment is the Gordon Model at Geraldine starting at $3,200 with a $3.15 price per square foot in the Central neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for San Carlos apartments based on price per square foot:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPrice Per Sq.Ft.
The Wellesley Crescent Apartments2x22BR,2BA$3.04
GeraldineGordon2BR,2BA$3.15
Crestview ApartmentsPlan B: 1 Bed 1 Bath1BR,1BA$2.85
Belmont Square Apartments2x12BR,1BA$3.05
219 Jackson Ave1 Bed 1 Bath1BR,1BA$2.94
1015 Continentals (Casa Belview)1BR/1.0BA1BR,1BA$3.19
Marymount ManorOne Bedroom1BR,1BA$3.28
Marymount TowerOne Bedroom1BR,1BA$3.14
Courtyard Apartments1x1S1BR,1BA$3.28
Redwood Plaza Village , SENIOR BUILDING , 55+1 bedroom1BR,1BA$3.25

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San Carlos Overview

Conveniently located at the midway point between San Jose and San Francisco, San Carlos is a charming, welcoming slice of California life. Situated in San Mateo County, this 'City of Good Living' offers a small town ambiance highlighted by quaint shops, eclectic eateries and an active degree of local cultural hotspots.

Why live in San Carlos, CA?

When it comes to charm and a thoroughly west coast ambiance that you can feel in your bones, it doesn't get much better than an apartment for rent in San Carlos. From nearby water views to the gentle rolling streets of downtown, this charming and idyllic Cali destination offers impressive schools, numerous museums, and a neighborly feel that is equal parts welcoming and reassuring. 

Remember the 3 Rules of Real Estate:
Location, Location, Location!

Explore San Carlos, CA Rentals by Map

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Getting Around San Carlos, CA

Walk Score®

82 / 100

Very Walkable

Most errands can be accomplished on foot

Bike Score®

69 / 100

Bikeable

Some bike infrastructure

Transit Score®

1 / 100

Minimal Transit

It may be possible to get on a bus

Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap San Carlos Apartments

What is a cheap apartment in San Carlos?

A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in San Carlos is under $2,500.

What is the price of a cheap apartment in San Carlos?

The cheapest apartment in San Carlos is Redwood Plaza Village , SENIOR BUILDING , 55+ which is listed at $1,950, while the average apartment in San Carlos costs $5,475.

What types of apartments are the cheapest in San Carlos?

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 31 regular apartments in San Carlos 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 Carlos?

Cheap apartments in San Carlos have an average cost of $915 which is $4,560 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in San Carlos.

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.

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Know Your Rights - How Discrimination Laws Impact Landlords and Tenants

Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.

Everyone needs a place to live and to call home. For decades, the federal government has established protections to ensure that individuals and families can find housing free from discriminatory barriers.

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Often, in the excitement of finding a new place to live, there’s a rush to make it happen, and - too often - a new tenant signs a lease without reading it carefully.