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Apartments for Rent in San Mateo, CA

134 Rentals Available
  • the building in which the apartment is located
    33
    Today

    82 E. 39Th Avenue, San Mateo, CA 94403
    STUDIO Ask for Pricing
    1 BED $2,195
  • A kitchen with a white fridge, stove, and dishwasher.
    21
    Today

    816-864 N Humboldt Ave., San Mateo, CA 94401
    1 BED Ask for Pricing
    2 BEDS $2,995
    3 BEDS Ask for Pricing
  • a kitchen with wooden floors and a stove and refrigerator
    15
    Today

    123 N El Camino Real, San Mateo, CA 94401
    1 BED $2,595
    2 BEDS $3,545
  • A kitchen with white cabinets and a fan on the ceiling.
    15
    Today

    100 Dartmouth Road, San Mateo, CA 94402
    1 BED Ask for Pricing
    2 BEDS Ask for Pricing
  • a kitchen with white appliances and granite counter tops
    27
    Today

    244 N Ellsworth Avenue, San Mateo, CA 94401
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    1 BED Ask for Pricing
    2 BEDS Ask for Pricing
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  • a living room with leather couches and chairs and a large window
    32
    Today

    400 E Hillsdale Bolevard, San Mateo, CA 94403
    STUDIO Ask for Pricing
    1 BED $2,525
    2 BEDS Ask for Pricing
  • A kitchen with a stainless steel refrigerator and wooden floors.
    24
    Today

    518, 520 E Bellevue Avenue, San Mateo, CA 94401
    STUDIO Ask for Pricing
    1 BED Ask for Pricing
    2 BEDS Ask for Pricing
  • A kitchen with wooden cabinets and a white refrigerator.
    8
    Today

    540 S El Camino Real, San Mateo, CA 94402
    2 BEDS $3,895
    3 BEDS Ask for Pricing
  • a kitchen with white cabinets and a sink and a window
    23
    Today

    3301, 3305 Los Prados Street, San Mateo, CA 94403
    2 BEDS Ask for Pricing
    3 BEDS Ask for Pricing
  • a living room with a table and chairs and a couch
    28
    Today

    145 N El Camino Real, San Mateo, CA 94401
    1 BED Ask for Pricing
    2 BEDS Ask for Pricing
  • a small kitchen with white cabinets and a black stove and refrigerator
    13
    Today

    420 N Bayshore Boulevard, San Mateo, CA 94401
    STUDIO $2,075
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  • a living room with a couch and a coffee table
    41
    Today

    128 N Humboldt Street, San Mateo, CA 94401
  • a living room with a table and a ceiling fan
    16
    Today

    250 Baldwin Avenue, San Mateo, CA 94401
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    1 BED Ask for Pricing
    2 BEDS Ask for Pricing
  • a kitchen with a washing machine and a sink
    11
    Today

    150 West 3Rd Avenue, San Mateo, CA 94402
    1 BED $3,605+
    2 BEDS $4,114+
    3 BEDS $4,274+
  • a living room with a table and chairs
    23
    Today

    2000 S Delaware St, San Mateo, CA 94403
    2 BEDS $3,050
  • A kitchen with dark wood cabinets and stainless steel appliances.
    21
    Today

    1950 Elkhorn Ct, San Mateo, CA 94403
    STUDIO $3,280+
    1 BED $3,795+
    2 BEDS $4,643+
  • a living room with two chairs and a table
    26
    Today

    460 N. Humboldt St. #1, San Mateo, CA 94401
    2 BEDS $2,719+
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  • a living room with couches and chairs and a fire pit
    8
    Today

    1650 Delaware Street, San Mateo, CA 94402
    1 BED $3,840+
    2 BEDS $4,636+
  • a living room with yellow chairs and a fireplace
    17
    Today

    1987 Bridgepointe Parkway, San Mateo, CA 94404
    1 BED $3,158+
    2 BEDS $3,730+
    3 BEDS Ask for Pricing
  • a wooden fence in front of an apartment building
    19
    Today

    66 E. 39Th Avenue, San Mateo, CA 94403
    STUDIO $1,995
    1 BED Ask for Pricing
    2 BEDS Ask for Pricing
  • A kitchen with white cabinets and a black fridge.
    Today

    72 E 39Th Ave, San Mateo, CA 94403
    1 BED Ask for Pricing
    2 BEDS Ask for Pricing
  • A modern kitchen with dark wood cabinets and stainless steel appliances.
    8
    Today

    70 Lodato Avenue, San Mateo, CA 94403
    1 BED Ask for Pricing
    2 BEDS $3,295
  • a kitchen with white cabinets and white appliances
    13
    Today

    348 E. Hillsdale Boulevard, San Mateo, CA 94403
    STUDIO Ask for Pricing
    1 BED Ask for Pricing
    2 BEDS Ask for Pricing
  • a living room with a blue couch and a coffee table
    22
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    Today

    3110 Casa De Campo, San Mateo, CA 94403
    STUDIO $2,414+
    1 BED $2,929+
    2 BEDS $3,602+
  • a kitchen with white cabinets and a wood floor
    18
    Today

    401 Bermuda Drive, San Mateo, CA 94403
    STUDIO Ask for Pricing
    1 BED Ask for Pricing
    2 BEDS $2,700
36-0-city
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San Mateo, CA rent trends

Rental prices in San Mateo, CA have increased by 6.42% over the past year. The average rent moved from $3,450 to $3,671.

Check out the average rent prices in San Mateo by neighborhood.

Compared to the national average rent of $1,750, the average rent in San Mateo, CA is $3,671.

Average rent in San Mateo, CA

$3,671/mo San Mateo, CA average rental price, September 2025
Image Average Rent

The average monthly rent of apartments in San Mateo, CA is $3,671.

    What's the typical rent budget in San Mateo, CA?

    About 75% of apartment rents in San Mateo, CA range between > $3,000. Around 19% of San Mateo’s apartments are in the $2,501-$3,000 price range. 5% of apartments are priced between $2,001-$2,500.

    The largest share of rentals in San Mateo, CA (75%) fall between $3,000- per month. This suggests that most people succesfully find suitable apartments within this price.

    Getting around in San Mateo, CA

    76 /100
    Very Walkable
    44 /100
    Some Transit
    58 /100
    Bikeable
    Walk Score®: 76, Transit Score®: 44, Bike Score®: 58

    Frequently asked questions

    What are the best apartments in San Mateo, CA?

    The best apartments in San Mateo, CA are: 82 E. 39th Avenue, Lakeview Garden, 123 N El Camino, Dartmouth Oaks and 244 N Ellsworth.

    What is the average rent in San Mateo, CA?

    The average rent in San Mateo, CA is $3,414.

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

    The price range for a studio apartment in San Mateo, CA is between $1,995 and $7,623.

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

    The price range for a 1-bedroom apartment in San Mateo, CA is between $1,869 and $8,891.

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

    The price range for a 2-bedroom apartment in San Mateo, CA is between $1,869 and $9,721.

    What is the price range for a 3-bedroom apartment in San Mateo, CA?

    The price range for a 3-bedroom apartment in San Mateo, CA is between $2,500 and $10,477.

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

    In San Mateo, 49% of the residents are renting compared to 51% owning a home, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Large-scale apartment buildings with more than 50 units represent 27% of San Mateo’s rentals, 58% are small-scale complexes with under 50 units, and 15% are single-family rentals.

    What do typical apartment communities look like in San Mateo, 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 Mateo are about 37 years old, on average. Of these, 39% 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 4 stories. About 92% of the rental communities here are low-rise, garden-style communities, 20% are mid-rises, and 4% are high-rise buildings. These are true especially for large-scale multifamily buildings with over 50 apartments.

    What apartment floorplans are common in San Mateo, CA?

    Rental apartments in San Mateo come in a range of sizes and floorplans. Studio apartments represent 6% of units for rent, ideal for singles, renters on a budget and people who value central locations more than space. Rentals with 1-bedroom floorplans make up 47% of the total apartments in the city, while 2-bedroom floorplans represent around 40% of all rentals in San Mateo. The rest are larger floorplans with 3 bedrooms or more, typically preferred by families, larger households or roommates sharing space.

    Living in San Mateo, CA

    San Mateo is a suburb of San Francisco that is known for its rich history and beautiful scenery. San Mateo was originally developed in the 19th century as a summer vacation destination for wealthy San Franciscans due to its mild weather and stunning views. When compared to other parts of the Bay Area, San Mateo has a very relaxed and laid-back vibe. This town has a very vibrant job market with plenty of opportunities in technology, finance and healthcare. The weather is San Mateo is very mild throughout the entire year. However, it does tend to be very foggy in the summer months. There are plenty of places in San Mateo where renters can spend time outdoors. Crystal Springs Park, for example, is a popular spot for hiking and admiring incredible views of the surrounding area. For renters who love to golf, there are several clubs in the surrounding area.

    Renting in San Mateo, CA

    Just like many other parts of the Silicon Valley, San Mateo has a mix of urban and suburban neighborhoods. Downtown San Mateo, for example, is made up mostly of mid-rise buildings and is very walkable. Renters who are looking for quieter neighborhoods with single-family homes will enjoy Hayward Park and Hillsdale, both of which are close to highly rated schools. Average rents in San Mateo are significantly higher than in other parts of California due to high demand. However, renters will find a huge range of properties to choose from, including traditional apartments, condos, and single-family homes — but renters will need to start looking for apartments about a month before their move-in date. What’s more, renters will need to provide proof of income and put down a deposit in order to secure a rental apartment of home in most cases.

    Things for renting

    Shopping in San Mateo, CA

    There’s no shortage of shopping options in San Mateo. The biggest mall in San Mateo is the Hillsdale Shopping Center, which features national chains and department stores like Nordstrom and Macy’s. There are many smaller shopping centers sprinkled throughout San Mateo as well. For grocery shopping, there are multiple Safeway, Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s locations in town, as well as smaller specialty grocers and ethnic grocery stores where renters can find fresh seafood, Asian food, Mexican food and more.

    Transportation in San Mateo, CA

    Many San Mateo renters opt to have a car for convenience, although they can also get around by foot in most cases. Downtown San Mateo in particular is very walkable and has access to many public transportation options. A large number of renters also opt to bike in San Mateo because of the consistently warm weather. The CalTrain commuter rail has two stops in San Mateo — one in downtown and one in Hayward Park — connecting the town with San Francisco and San Joe. In addition, SamTrans and AC Transit operate a network of buses in San Mateo for renters to get around without a car. Car rental and ridesharing services are also available in the area. The closest airport is Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport, located about 30 miles southeast of San Mateo.

    Look for apartments near me

    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 Mateo, CA. Easily search through a wide selection of apartments for rent in San Mateo, 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 Mateo, CA apartments with rents starting from $1,869 and submit your rental application today!

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