Apartments for Rent in San Carlos, San Mateo County, CA

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Apartments for Rent in Alameda $2,907
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Apartments for Rent in Burlingame $3,528
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Apartments for Rent in Castro Valley $2,423
Apartments for Rent in Cupertino $3,796
Apartments for Rent in Daly City $2,537
Apartments for Rent in Dublin $2,925
Apartments for Rent in East Palo Alto $2,792
Apartments for Rent in Emeryville $2,908
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Apartments for Rent in Fremont $2,747
Apartments for Rent in Hayward $2,418
Apartments for Rent in Los Altos $3,400
Apartments for Rent in Menlo Park $4,336
Apartments for Rent in Millbrae $3,547
Apartments for Rent in Milpitas $3,130
Apartments for Rent in Mountain View $3,605
Apartments for Rent in Newark $2,481
Apartments for Rent in Oakland $2,558
Apartments for Rent in Pacifica $3,039
Apartments for Rent in Palo Alto $3,138
Apartments for Rent in Pleasanton $2,884
Apartments for Rent in Redwood City $3,524
Apartments for Rent in San Bruno $3,204
Apartments for Rent in San Francisco $3,494
Apartments for Rent in San Leandro $2,279
Apartments for Rent in San Lorenzo $2,286
Apartments for Rent in San Mateo $3,554
Apartments for Rent in San Ramon $2,767
Apartments for Rent in Santa Clara $3,450
Apartments for Rent in South San Francisco $3,358
Apartments for Rent in Sunnyvale $3,360
Apartments for Rent in Union City $2,523

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Getting around in San Carlos, CA

12 /100

Car-Dependent

26 /100

Somewhat Bikeable

Walk Score®: 12, Bike Score®: 26

Frequently asked questions

When were prices and availability in San Carlos, San Mateo County, CA last updated?

Prices and availability in San Carlos, San Mateo County, CA were last updated on 9 Jul 2025.

What are the best apartments in San Carlos, San Mateo County, CA?

The best apartments in San Carlos, San Mateo County, CA are: Devonshire Apartments, Andalusia at Chestnut and Greenwood Apts.

What is the average rent in San Carlos, San Mateo County, CA?

The average rent in San Carlos, San Mateo County, CA is $4,252.

What is the price range for a studio apartment in San Carlos, San Mateo County, CA?

The price range for a studio apartment in San Carlos, San Mateo County, CA is between $2,195 and $3,295.

What is the price range for a 1-bedroom apartment in San Carlos, San Mateo County, CA?

The price range for a 1-bedroom apartment in San Carlos, San Mateo County, CA is between $2,275 and $3,295.

What is the price range for a 2-bedroom apartment in San Carlos, San Mateo County, CA?

The price range for a 2-bedroom apartment in San Carlos, San Mateo County, CA is between $2,275 and $3,295.

What type of rental buildings are in San Carlos, San Mateo County, CA?

In San Carlos 32% of the housing is rented out compared to 68% of homes are owned, according to the most recent Census Bureau estimates. 6% of San Carlos’s apartments are found in large buildings of 50 units or more, 70% are located in smaller apartment complexes with less than 50 units, and 24% are single-family rentals.

What do typical apartment communities look like in San Carlos, San Mateo County, CA?

The age and size of multifamily buildings are among the most visible characteristics of the rental market in a city.  In this case, the apartment buildings in San Carlos are about 0 years old, on average. Of these, none have been built since 2000, representing the newer options on the market and typically offering more amenities. Rental buildings in the city have an average height of 0 stories. About none of the rental communities here are low-rise, garden-style communities, none are mid-rises, and none are high-rise buildings. These are true especially for large-scale multifamily buildings with over 50 apartments.

What apartment floorplans are common in San Carlos, San Mateo County, CA?

Studio apartments in San Carlos are around 0% of rentals, while 1-bedroom floor plans represent 0% of the total stock. For those in search of larger rentals, 2-bedroom floorplans make up 0% of all rentals. More generous apartments with 3 bedrooms or more are also available in this city for those in search of more space.

Living in San Carlos, CA

Sitting between San Francisco to the north and San Jose to the south, San Carlos is a small city in northern California. Known as “The City of Good Living,” it’s often ranked as one of the best places to raise a family, recognized for its low crime rates, tight-knit community and calm lifestyle. Temperature highs average 80°F in July and drop to around 40°F in January, so the weather in San Carlos remains warm and sunny throughout the year. This allows renters to enjoy the multiple events and festivals that San Carlos hosts; restaurants with a wide range of cuisines; and parks with outdoor recreational activities.

Renting in San Carlos, CA

Its proximity to big cities and safety make San Carlos a convenient place to rent for young families and professionals who want to live in a quiet area with a short commute to larger cities. Although many families own their properties, there’s still a sizeable rental market offering a variety of options. Most rentals are located in the eastern part of the town, closer to the coast and main roads. As you might expect, rents are higher here due to the convenience of the location. Alternatively, renters looking for affordable homes and apartments for rent in San Carlos can find them in the northeast region. Notably, renters in California are protected through the state-wide rent-control laws that prevent landlords from raising rent by more than 5% plus inflation. In addition, landlords cannot evict renters without written notice and a valid legal reason. Utilities are typically excluded from the rent.

Shopping in San Carlos, CA

San Carlos’ shopping venues are mainly split into two sections — one along U.S. Highway 101 and one along State Route 82. These venues are primarily home to big-box stores, like T.J. Maxx, Ross Dress For Less, Best Buy, and several chain restaurants and cafes. Meanwhile, downtown San Carlos is a pedestrian- and bike-friendly area where renters can shop from various national and local brand shops and boutique stores. For bigger shopping opportunities, renters have San Francisco and San Jose within a short drive. The leading grocery and home goods stores in San Carlos are Trader Joe’s, The Home Depot and Whole Foods Market. The city also hosts a weekly farmers market where renters can buy fresh produce, taste local food and enjoy live entertainment.

Transportation in San Carlos, CA

As an environmentally conscious city, San Carlos supports renters’ use of alternative transportation. To that end, the whole city — especially the downtown area — is very walkable and bike-friendly, thereby allowing renters to do their errands on foot or bike. In addition, renters can use several public transportation options. For instance, SamTrans runs several regular bus routes through San Mateo County with stops in San Carlos, while Caltrain provides commuter rail transport between the San Francisco Peninsula and Santa Clara Valley. Otherwise, renters who commute by car can use U.S. Highway 101 and State Route 82 that run along the coast and connect San Carlos with San Francisco and San Jose. While no interstates pass directly through the city, Interstate 280 is just outside the city’s borders. Uber and Lyft also provide on-demand ridesharing services, while San Francisco International Airport with domestic and international flights is a short, 12-mile ride away.

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Are you looking to land that one apartment near you that ticks all the boxes? Now you can browse through available RentCafe apartment listings in your area, rated and reviewed by verified residents. Comparing the size, price, amenities and location of apartments for rent near you is easier than ever. Do you feel like expanding the search beyond your neighborhood and ZIP code? Browse apartments for rent in your city and state to find the best fit, wherever you are in the U.S. Somewhere out there is the perfect apartment just waiting for you.

Whether you're looking for a studio, an apartment with one or more bedrooms, or maybe you're upgrading to a luxury apartment or need to acommodate a pet, RentCafe allows you to easily search for a rental near you based on your criteria, anywhere in the U.S. So, let's find your new home today!

RentCafe is your one-stop shop for finding a great new apartment in San Carlos, San Mateo County, CA. Easily search through a wide selection of apartments for rent in San Carlos, San Mateo County, CA, and view detailed information about available rentals including floor plans, pricing, photos, amenities, interactive maps, and thorough property descriptions. Property owners and managers are one click away, so feel free to contact them and find out all you need to know about the apartment you’re interested in. Browse San Carlos, San Mateo County, CA apartments with rents starting from $2,125 and submit your rental application today!

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STUDIO	Ask for Pricing
1 BED	$2,275
2 BEDS	Ask for Pricing

STUDIO	Ask for Pricing
1 BED	$2,595
2 BEDS	$3,295

STUDIO	$2,125
1 BED	$2,350
2 BEDS	$2,450

2 BEDS	Ask for Pricing
3 BEDS	$3,895+

STUDIO	$3,155+
1 BED	$3,735+
2 BEDS	$5,485+

STUDIO	$2,437+
1 BED	$2,974+

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