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Apartments for Rent in San Mateo, CA

134 Rentals Available
  • Today

    82 E. 39Th Avenue, San Mateo, CA 94403
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    1 BED $2,195
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    816-864 N Humboldt Ave., San Mateo, CA 94401
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    2 BEDS $2,995
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  • Today

    123 N El Camino Real, San Mateo, CA 94401
    1 BED $2,595
    2 BEDS $3,545
  • Today

    100 Dartmouth Road, San Mateo, CA 94402
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    244 N Ellsworth Avenue, San Mateo, CA 94401
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  • Today

    400 E Hillsdale Bolevard, San Mateo, CA 94403
    STUDIO Ask for Pricing
    1 BED $2,525
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    518, 520 E Bellevue Avenue, San Mateo, CA 94401
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  • Today

    540 S El Camino Real, San Mateo, CA 94402
    2 BEDS $3,895
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  • Today

    3301, 3305 Los Prados Street, San Mateo, CA 94403
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  • Today

    145 N El Camino Real, San Mateo, CA 94401
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  • Today

    420 N Bayshore Boulevard, San Mateo, CA 94401
    STUDIO $2,075
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    128 N Humboldt Street, San Mateo, CA 94401
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    250 Baldwin Avenue, San Mateo, CA 94401
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  • Today

    150 West 3Rd Avenue, San Mateo, CA 94402
    1 BED $3,605+
    2 BEDS $4,114+
    3 BEDS $4,274+
  • Today

    2000 S Delaware St, San Mateo, CA 94403
    2 BEDS $3,050
  • Today

    1950 Elkhorn Ct, San Mateo, CA 94403
    STUDIO $3,280+
    1 BED $3,795+
    2 BEDS $4,643+
  • Today

    460 N. Humboldt St. #1, San Mateo, CA 94401
    2 BEDS $2,719+
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    1650 Delaware Street, San Mateo, CA 94402
    1 BED $3,840+
    2 BEDS $4,636+
  • Today

    1987 Bridgepointe Parkway, San Mateo, CA 94404
    1 BED $3,158+
    2 BEDS $3,730+
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  • Today

    66 E. 39Th Avenue, San Mateo, CA 94403
    STUDIO $1,995
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  • Today

    72 E 39Th Ave, San Mateo, CA 94403
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  • Today

    70 Lodato Avenue, San Mateo, CA 94403
    1 BED Ask for Pricing
    2 BEDS $3,295
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    348 E. Hillsdale Boulevard, San Mateo, CA 94403
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    3110 Casa De Campo, San Mateo, CA 94403
    STUDIO $2,414+
    1 BED $2,929+
    2 BEDS $3,602+
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    401 Bermuda Drive, San Mateo, CA 94403
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    2 BEDS $2,700
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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.

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

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    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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