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from $1,895Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Now
3633 Colegrove Apartments
3633 Colegrove StSan Mateo, CA 94403
Cheap Apartments for Rent in San Mateo, CA from $1,300 (50 Rentals)
Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in San Mateo.
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from $2,3721 to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Apr 18
Colonial Garden Apartments
460 N Humboldt StSan Mateo, CA 94401
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Rent Specials
from $2,050Studio Apartments Available Now
Country Club
420 N Bayshore FwySan Mateo, CA 94401
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from $2,295Studio Apartments Contact Us For Availability
Fourth Circle
1022 E 4th AveSan Mateo, CA 94401
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from $2,300Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Now
De Sabla Apartments
10 De Sabla RdSan Mateo, CA 94402
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from $2,3251 Bedroom Apartments Contact Us For Availability
Park Central
724 Laurel AveSan Mateo, CA 94401
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from $2,3251 Bedroom Apartments Available Now
Ambassador Apartments
145 N El Camino RealSan Mateo, CA 94401
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from $2,3501 to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Now
Royal Pines
525 N El Camino RealSan Mateo, CA 94401
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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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922 Academy Ave
BelmontCA94002
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from $1,995Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Apr 25
Tradewind Surf Apartments
1110 Polynesia DrFoster City, CA 94404
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from $2,000Studio Apartment Available Now
1128 Broadway, Unit Apartment#2
1128 BroadwayBurlingame, CA 94010
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from $2,195Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Now
Alta off the Avenue
1415 Floribunda AveBurlingame, CA 94010
20 Lorton Ave
BurlingameCA94010
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from $2,363Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Now
The Riley at Belmont Hills
1039 Continentals WayBelmont, CA 94002
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from $2,395Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments Available Now
Bellevue Apartments
1445 Bellevue AveBurlingame, CA 94010
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from $2,3991 Bedroom Apartment Available Now
1224 El Camino Real, Unit 4
1224 El Camino RealBurlingame, CA 94010
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from $2,400Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments Available Now
1015 Continentals (Casa Belview)
1015 Continentals WayBelmont, CA 94002
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Showing Results 1-50, Page 1 of 1
San Mateo, CA Local Guide
Cats being cats at CuriOdyssey in Coyote Point by Flickr User: aaron_anderer is licensed under CC BY 2.0
How much does it cost to rent an apartment in San Mateo?
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cheap San Mateo Studio Apartments | $2,667 | $1,885 | $3,461 |
| Cheap San Mateo 1 Bedroom Apartments | $3,204 | $2,300 | $8,400 |
| Cheap San Mateo 2 Bedroom Apartments | $4,259 | $2,475 | $7,793 |
| Cheap San Mateo 3 Bedroom Apartments | $5,562 | $3,143 | $10,000+ |
| Cheap San Mateo 4 Bedroom Apartments | $7,500 | $7,500 | $7,500 |
Browse Top Apartments in San Mateo
See all Apartments in San MateoExplore San Mateo
San Mateo, CA Local Guide
Written By:
Staff Writer Local Guide Expert
- San Mateo Neighborhoods
- Nearby Cities
- ZIP codes
- Local Counties
- School Districts
Cheapest Neighborhoods for Apartments in San Mateo, CA
Pricing Updated: 03/22/2025Current apartment rentals in the San Mateo, CA area range in price from to with an overall median price of . Here is today’s list neighborhoods with the lowest median pricing for San Mateo Apartments for rent:
| Neighborhood | Median Price | Min Price | Available Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baywood Aragon | $5,480 | $2,315 | 2150 |
| North Central | $5,480 | $2,000 | 3221 |
Cheapest Available San Mateo Apartments for Rent
The cheapest available apartment rental in San Mateo, CA is a Studio unit found at Country Club in the Central San Mateo neighborhood priced from $2,050. Bonnie Brae Terrace in the Western Hills neighborhood has the second lowest priced unit, which is a Studio apartment currently listed from $2,073. Here is today’s list of the most affordable San Mateo apartments for rent:
| Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Priced From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Country Club | Studio | Studio,1BA | $2,050 |
| Bonnie Brae Terrace | Studio | Studio,1BA | $2,073 |
| Alta off the Avenue | 0BR/1.0BA | Studio,1BA | $2,195 |
| De Sabla Apartments | Skyline | Studio,1BA | $2,300 |
| Ambassador Apartments | 1x1 | 1BR,1BA | $2,325 |
| Hillsdale Garden | Studio_e10a | Studio,1BA | $2,341 |
| Laurel Crossing Apartment Homes | Sage Premier | Studio,1BA | $2,346 |
| Royal Pines | 1 Bed 1 Bath | 1BR,1BA | $2,350 |
Best Value Apartments for Rent in San Mateo, CA
As of March 22, 2025 the best value apartment in the San Mateo area is the $2.95 price per square foot Hot Springs Model at Hillside Gardens in the in the Western Hills neighborhood starting from $3,250. The second greatest value San Mateo apartment is the 2 Bedroom D Model at West 5th starting at $3,377 with a $3.10 price per square foot in the Western Hills neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for San Mateo apartments based on price per square foot:
| Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Price Per Sq.Ft. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hillside Gardens | Hot Springs | 2BR,1.5BA | $2.95 |
| West 5th | 2 Bedroom D | 2BR,2BA | $3.10 |
| Burlingame Towers | 2x2 | 2BR,2BA | $3.09 |
| Crown Towers Apartments | Two Bedroom Two Bathroom | 2BR,2BA | $3.13 |
| Village Court Apartments | 2 Bedroom 1 Bath | 2BR,1BA | $2.48 |
| Belmont Square Apartments | 2x1 | 2BR,1BA | $3.05 |
| Crestview Apartments | Plan H: 1 Bed 1 Bath | 1BR,1BA | $3.23 |
| Beachcomber Bali | 1x1 | 1BR,1BA | $3.10 |
| Ralston at Belmont | TMA 1+1 | 1BR,1BA | $3.22 |
| Royal Pines | 1 Bed 1 Bath | 1BR,1BA | $3.13 |
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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 LifestyleSan Mateo, CA
Ranked #70
Among cities in California for Apartment listings with Pet Friendly Amenities
Pet Friendliness Lifestyle Score
2.5Pet Friendly
Best Local Schools in San Mateo, CA
George Hall Elementary
San Mateo-Foster City School District
Public School - Grades K-5 (387)
8 out of 10
Parkside Montessori
San Mateo-Foster City School District
Public School - Grades PK-8 (328)
7 out of 10
School data provided by Great Schools
Remember the 3 Rules of Real Estate:Location, Location, Location!
Explore San Mateo, CA Rentals by Map
See the most popular apartments and homes in San Mateo, CA
San Mateo, CA Apartments MapSan Mateo, CA Rental Homes MapGetting Around San Mateo, CA
Walk Score®
86 / 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 a cheap apartment in San Mateo?
A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in San Mateo is under $2,350.
What is the price of a cheap apartment in San Mateo?
The cheapest apartment in San Mateo is De Sabla Apartments which is listed at $2,320, while the average apartment in San Mateo costs $5,480.
What types of apartments are the cheapest in 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 1,170 regular apartments in San Mateo 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?
Cheap apartments in San Mateo have an average cost of $487 which is $4,993 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in San Mateo.
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.
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.
Understanding Amenity Fees: Know Where You Might Be Able to Save Money
Written by: Amber Kanuckel
With the rising costs of housing, a lot of renters are asking this question: Is it possible to opt out of various amenities that your rental property offers so that you can avoid paying the fees.
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.
Battling the Butts: Your Guide to the Reality of Smoke-Free Renting
Written by: Andrea Lee Negroni, JD
While many apartment buildings are “no smoking” properties, it’s hard to know exactly how many. In 2017, the National Apartment Association reported more than half of rental properties had smoke free policies.