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from $2,295Studio Apartments Contact Us For Availability
Fourth Circle
1022 E 4th AveSan Mateo, CA 94401
Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Downtown San Mateo Neighborhood of San Mateo, CA from $1,700 (12 Rentals)
Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in the Downtown San Mateo area of San Mateo.
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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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Rent Specials
from $2,6451 to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Now
One Three Four Elm Apartments
142 Elm StSan Mateo, CA 94401
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710 Laurel Ave
San MateoCA94401
Know Your Rights - How Discrimination Laws Impact Landlords and Tenants
Read our practical guide to landlord and tenant rights. Understand protected classes, reasonable accommodations, and legal exceptions to prevent housing discrimination.
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65 W 5th Ave
San MateoCA94402
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from $2,795Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available May 10
Casa Baywood
212 S 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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Downtown San Mateo, 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 Downtown San Mateo?
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown San Mateo Studio Apartments | $2,652 | $2,295 | $3,245 |
| Downtown San Mateo 1 Bedroom Apartments | $3,319 | $2,325 | $4,348 |
| Downtown San Mateo 2 Bedroom Apartments | $4,133 | $2,890 | $5,376 |
| Downtown San Mateo 3 Bedroom Apartments | $4,148 | $3,248 | $5,478 |
Browse Apartments in this Neighborhood
There are currently 12 rentals with your search options within a 2 mile radius of the Downtown San Mateo Neighborhood of San Mateo, CA.
See all Apartments in San MateoExplore San Mateo
Downtown San Mateo, San Mateo, CA Local Guide
- Nearby San Mateo neighborhoods
- Nearby Cities
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- Local Counties
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Cheapest Available Downtown San Mateo Apartments for Rent
The cheapest available apartment rental in the Downtown San Mateo area of San Francisco, CA is a Studio unit found at De Sabla Apartments priced from $2,300. Hillsdale Garden has the second lowest priced unit, which is a Studio apartment currently listed from $2,341. Here are the most affordable Downtown San Mateo apartments for rent in San Francisco, CA:
| Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Priced From |
|---|---|---|---|
| De Sabla Apartments | Skyline | Studio,1BA | $2,300 |
| Hillsdale Garden | Studio_e10a | Studio,1BA | $2,341 |
| One Three Four Elm Apartments | I Bedroom 1 Bath | 1BR,1BA | $2,665 |
| 960 Palm | 1 Bed, 1 bath | 1BR,1BA | $2,695 |
| CitySouth | Cashmere (A1A) | 1BR,1BA | $2,754 |
Best Value Apartments for Rent in Downtown San Mateo, CA
As of April 17, 2025 the best value apartment in the Downtown San Mateo area is the $3.60 price per square foot 2 Bedroom A Model at West 5th in the in the Western Hills neighborhood starting from $3,437. The second greatest value Downtown San Mateo apartment is the The Veranda Model at Bay Terrace starting at $3,248 with a $3.42 price per square foot in the Western Hills neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Downtown San Mateo apartments based on price per square foot:
| Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Price Per Sq.Ft. |
|---|---|---|---|
| West 5th | 2 Bedroom A | 2BR,1BA | $3.60 |
| Bay Terrace | The Veranda | 3BR,2BA | $3.42 |
| 111 Elm St | 2 bed 1 bath | 2BR,1BA | $3.44 |
| Metropolitan | Plan 1CR | 1BR,1BA | $4.44 |
| 55 West Fifth | 1 Bedroom Tower | 1BR,1BA | $4.21 |
| Bridgepointe | 11CB | 1BR,1BA | $4.17 |
| The Triton | Plan 1B | 1BR,1BA | $4.72 |
| One Three Four Elm Apartments | 1 Bedroom | 1BR,1BA | $3.53 |
| Hillsdale Garden | 1 Bed/1 Bath_a10a | 1BR,1BA | $4.20 |
| Ryan Tower | 1 Bed - 1 Bath | 1BR,1BA | $4.66 |
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Pet Friendly LifestyleDowntown San Mateo, San Mateo, CA
Ranked #26
Among neighborhoods in San Mateo, CA for Apartment listings with Pet Friendly Amenities
Pet Friendliness Lifestyle Score
4.0Pet Friendly
Getting Around the Downtown San Mateo Neighborhood in San Mateo, CA
Walk Score®
98 / 100
Walker’s Paradise
Daily errands do not require a car
Bike Score®
79 / 100
Very Bikeable
Biking is convenient for most trips
Transit Score®
47 / 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 Downtown San Mateo Apartments
What is a cheap apartment in Downtown San Mateo?
A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in Downtown San Mateo is under $3,364.
What is the price of a cheap apartment in Downtown San Mateo?
The cheapest apartment in Downtown San Mateo is De Sabla Apartments which is listed at $2,320, while the average apartment in Downtown San Mateo costs $4,221.
What types of apartments are the cheapest in Downtown 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 13 regular apartments in Downtown San Mateo that we think qualify as ‘cheap apartments’ that do not have special requirements to apply to rent.
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.
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.
Renting Smart: Lease Basics Every Renter Needs
Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.
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.