San Mateo, CA Rental Market Trends
Last updated: July 02, 2026 | Source: RentCafe Market Analysis, Yardi Matrix, U.S. Census Bureau
Highlights
The average rent for an apartment in San Mateo is $3,778, a 5.38% increase compared to the previous year, when the average rent was $3,585.
Studio Apartments at $2,896 offer the most budget-friendly option with 530 square feet, ideal for single renters prioritizing location over space.
One-bedroom apartments provide 730 square feet for $3,302, balancing privacy and affordability.
Two-beedroom units at $4,288 offer 1,038 square feet, perfect for roommates or small families.
Three-bedroom apartments deliver maximum space (1,300 sq ft) for $5,360, suitable for larger households.
Average rent in San Mateo, CA
Last updated: July 02, 2026
| Average Rent | Average Apartment Size | |
|---|---|---|
| All Rentals | $3,778 | 870 sq. ft. |
| Studio | $2,896 | 530 sq. ft. |
| 1 Bed | $3,302 | 730 sq. ft. |
| 2 Beds | $4,288 | 1,038 sq. ft. |
| 3 Beds | $5,360 | 1,300 sq. ft. |
San Mateo, CA rent trends
Rental prices in San Mateo, CA have increased by 5.38% over the past year. The average rent moved from $3,585 to $3,778.
What's the typical rent budget in San Mateo, CA?
The largest share of rentals in San Mateo, CA (86%) fall between $3,000- per month. This suggests that most people succesfully find suitable apartments within this price.
Do most people rent or own in San Mateo, CA?
19,985 or 50% of the households in San Mateo, CA are renter-occupied while 19,910 or 50% are owner-occupied.
Most affordable neighborhoods in San Mateo?
San Mateo Park $3,079/month
Westwood Knolls $3,363/month
Shoreview $3,526/month
All of these neighborhoods fall below the city wide average of $3,778/month.Most expensive neighborhoods in San Mateo?
Hayward Park $3,826/month
Beresford Manor $3,883/month
Fiesta Gardens $4,019/month
These neighborhoods typically command higher rents due to location, amenities, and demand.Average Rent in San Mateo, CA By Neighborhood
| Neighborhood | Average Rent |
|---|---|
| Fiesta Gardens | $4,019 |
| Beresford Manor | $3,883 |
| Hayward Park | $3,826 |
| North Central San Mateo | $3,782 |
| Baywood | $3,767 |
| Foster City | $3,763 |
| Lakeshore | $3,589 |
| Shoreview | $3,526 |
| Westwood Knolls | $3,363 |
| San Mateo Park | $3,079 |
/
San Mateo | Rent Comparison by Neighborhood
Rent in Baywood is 3% lower than in Beresford Manor
$3,767
Baywood rent is 1% lower than San Mateo average
Average Rent
$3,767
$3,883
Beresford Manor rent is 3% higher than San Mateo average
Average Rent
$3,883
How San Mateo Compares to Other Cities
| City | Average Rent |
|---|---|
| San Mateo | $3,778 |
| Los Angeles | $2,756 |
| East Bay | $2,723 |
| San Francisco | $3,875 |
| San Diego | $2,989 |
| Oakland | $2,643 |
| Fresno | $1,627 |
| Sacramento | $1,895 |
| San Jose | $3,217 |
| Alameda | $3,057 |
| Long Beach | $2,709 |
| Berkeley | $3,432 |
| Mountain View, CA | $3,859 |
| Sunnyvale, CA | $3,524 |
| Palo Alto, CA | $3,631 |
| Hayward, CA | $2,451 |
| Santa Clara, CA | $3,609 |
| Fremont, CA | $2,883 |
| Menlo Park, CA | $4,621 |
| San Leandro, CA | $2,319 |
| Redwood City, CA | $3,815 |
Where this data comes from
The rental statistics on this page were compiled by RentCafe.com, a nationwide apartment search website trusted by millions of renters to find apartments and houses for rent throughout the U.S.
Rent prices, trends, and apartment sizes were calculated based on data from our sister company, Yardi Matrix, an apartment market intelligence solution that covers approximately 90% of the U.S. metro area population. The data includes comprehensive information on all San Mateo apartment buildings with 50 or more units, totaling 23.5 million apartments across 181 U.S. markets.
Housing composition data was sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau, using the most recently available information by tenure.