Cheap Apartments for Rent in San Mateo, CA from $1,600 (87 Rentals)

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

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116 Elm St
1 Bedroom Apartments

116 Elm St

116 Elm StSan Mateo, CA 94401
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816 Highland Ave
1 Bedroom Apartments

816 Highland Ave

816 Highland AveSan Mateo, CA 94401
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Oakview
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Oakview

3135 Campus DrSan Mateo, CA 94403
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Kiku Crossing
1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Kiku Crossing

480 E 4th AveSan Mateo, CA 94401
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227 Elm St
1 Bedroom Apartments

227 Elm St

227 Elm StSan Mateo, CA 94401
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Gateway Apartments
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Gateway Apartments

438 N El Camino RealSan Mateo, CA 94401
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111 Elm St
1 Bedroom Apartments

111 Elm St

111 Elm StSan Mateo, CA 94401
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1113 Haddon Dr
1 Bedroom Apartments

1113 Haddon Dr

1113 Haddon DrSan Mateo, CA 94402
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1109 Haddon Dr
1 Bedroom Apartments

1109 Haddon Dr

1109 Haddon DrSan Mateo, CA 94402
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Terrace Hills
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Terrace Hills

619 N San Mateo DrSan Mateo, CA 94401
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960 Palm
1 Bedroom Apartments

960 Palm

960 Palm AveSan Mateo, CA 94401
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Park Royal Apartments
Rent Specials
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Park Royal Apartments

651 N El Camino RealSan Mateo, CA 94401
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The Villa at San Mateo
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

The Villa at San Mateo

4000 S El Camino RealSan Mateo, CA 94403
Senior Living
Showing Results 1-50, Page 1 of 2

San Mateo, CA Local Guide

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Written By:
Staff Writer
Local Guide Expert

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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San Mateo Overview

San Mateo is a warm, welcoming city with down-to-earth people from all walks of life. Easy access to big cities and beautiful vacation destinations makes San Mateo a perfect place to raise a family, start a career, or anything in between.

Why live in San Mateo, CA?

San Mateo is great for those who don't want to deal with the burdens of a big city, but who would also like access to the big cities when needed. 35 minutes south and you'll end up in San Jose, or head 30 minutes north to the beautiful city of San Francisco. That's not to say San Mateo doesn't have its own impressive amenities. Downtown you'll find over 200 restaurants to choose from for a night of great food and entertainment. On top of all that, the San Mateo school district is one of the best around, with parents raving about great teachers.

Pet Friendly Lifestyle
San Mateo, CA

Ranked #168

Among cities in California for Apartment listings with Pet Friendly Amenities

Pet Friendliness Lifestyle Score

3.5
Pet Friendly

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Best Local Schools in
San Mateo, CA

School data provided by Great Schools

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

Explore San Mateo, CA Rentals by Map

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See the most popular apartments and homes in San Mateo, CA

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Getting Around San Mateo, CA

Walk Score®

85 / 100

Very Walkable

Most errands can be accomplished on foot

Bike Score®

73 / 100

Very Bikeable

Biking is convenient for most trips

Transit Score®

42 / 100

Some Transit

A few nearby public transportation options

What Are Walk Score®, Transit Score®, and Bike Score® Ratings?

  • Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address.
  • Transit Score® measures access to public transit.
  • Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap San Mateo Apartments

What is the Cheapest Studio apartment in San Mateo?

Currently the most affordable Cheap Studio Apartment in San Mateo is at Bonnie Brae Terrace listed at $1,750.

How much is rent for a Cheap One Bedroom San Mateo Apartment?

The lowest price for a Cheap One Bedroom San Mateo Apartment is $2,000 at Bonnie Brae Terrace.

What is the lowest price for a Cheap Two Bedroom San Mateo Apartment for rent?

Today's best deal for a Cheap Two Bedroom Apartment in San Mateo is starting from $2,543 at Bay Terrace.

What is the most affordable San Mateo Three Bedroom Apartment?

The best deal on a cheap San Mateo Three Bedroom Apartment rental is at Bay Terrace and starts from $3,071.

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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A San Francisco Local Expert’s Guide to the Top Budget-Friendly Bay Area Neighborhoods to Rent

Written by: Shannon Hilson

If you’re anything like me, the thought of San Francisco is synonymous with concepts like creativity, character, and quirky local style.

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What to Know About Fees and Fines When Renting

Written by: Trey Huguley

When it comes to renting a new apartment or home there can be a number of fees that you will want to keep in mind going into the process.

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Navigating the World of Low-Income Housing: A Comprehensive Guide

Written by: Kevin Ready

Are you having difficulty keeping up with bills or paying the rent? If so, you are not alone. Many families struggle to keep up with rents that have increased up to 40% in the past decade.

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Signing Your Apartment Lease: The Basics

Written by: Trey Huguley

When you're about to sign a lease for the first time, it can feel a bit overwhelming. You don’t want to miss any important details hidden in the fine print.