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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 $1,300 (9 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
Smart Renter's Guide: Calculating Affordable Rent & Housing Costs
Wondering how to determine your rental budget? This comprehensive guide covers everything from the 30% rule to hidden fees and effective budgeting strategies.
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from $2,6451 to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Now
One Three Four Elm Apartments
142 Elm StSan Mateo, CA 94401
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Navigating the Rental Market: Tips for First-Time Renters
Entering the rental market? Learn these simple tips and strategies to avoid common pitfalls and make confident choices. Rent with peace of mind.
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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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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 | $2,732 | $2,295 | $3,345 |
| Downtown San Mateo 1 Bedroom Apartments | $3,303 | $2,514 | $9,999 |
| Downtown San Mateo 2 Bedroom Apartments | $4,064 | $2,768 | $5,678 |
| Downtown San Mateo 3 Bedroom Apartments | $5,005 | $3,499 | $8,637 |
Browse Apartments in this Neighborhood
There are currently 9 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
- ZIP codes
- Local Counties
- School Districts
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 1 Bed apartment currently listed from $2,519. 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 | 1 Bed/1 Bath_a10b | 1BR,1BA | $2,519 |
| Laurel Crossing Apartment Homes | Poppy Premier | 1BR,1BA | $2,657 |
Best Value Apartments for Rent in Downtown San Mateo, CA
As of May 11, 2025 the best value apartment in the Downtown San Mateo area is the $3.58 price per square foot 2 Bedroom A Model at West 5th in the in the Western Hills neighborhood starting from $3,422. The second greatest value Downtown San Mateo apartment is the 2 bed 1 bath Model at 111 Elm St starting at $3,100 with a $3.44 price per square foot in the Central San Mateo 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 | $3.58 |
| 111 Elm St | 2 bed 1 bath | 2BR,1BA | $3.44 |
| Metropolitan | Plan 1CR | 1BR,1BA | $4.37 |
| Bridgepointe | 11CB | 1BR,1BA | $3.71 |
| One Three Four Elm Apartments | 1 Bedroom | 1BR,1BA | $3.53 |
| Bay Terrace | The Teresa | 2BR,1BA | $3.69 |
| Laurel Crossing Apartment Homes | Poppy Premier | 1BR,1BA | $3.72 |
| CitySouth | Delmonico (A1B) | 1BR,1BA | $4.32 |
| Casa Baywood | 1 Bed 1 Bath | 1BR,1BA | $4.14 |
| Hillsdale Garden | 1 Bed/1 Bath_a10a | 1BR,1BA | $4.20 |
Quick Rent Budget Calculator
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Pet Friendly LifestyleDowntown San Mateo, San Mateo, CA
Ranked #25
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 $2,992.
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 $4,890.
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 10 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.
Know Your Budget: Calculating What You Can Realistically Afford When Renting
Written by: Lauren Harrington
Renting an apartment or house isn’t just about looking through online ads, choosing a few apartments or homes you want to tour, filling out an application, and putting down a deposit. Those things are all necessary and important.
The Freedom of Short-Term Leases: Exploring the Advantages for Renters
Written by: Bobbi Jackson
If you’re looking to relocate right now, a popular solution that may best fit your current rental needs is a short-term lease.
Navigating the Rental Market: Tips for First-Time Renters
Written by: Sandy Baker
Making the decision to rent is exciting and terrifying at the same time. For many people, there are a lot of unknowns.