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Rental Market Trends in San Mateo, CA

What is the average rent in San Mateo, CA?

$2,935/month

Average Rent

696 Sq Ft

Average Apartment Size

+3.8%

Increase in the Last Year

As of December 2025, the average rent in San Mateo, CA is $2,935 per month. This is 80% higher than the national average rent price of $1,632/month, making San Mateo one of the most expensive cities in the US. When you rent an apartment in San Mateo, you can expect to pay about $2,435 per month for a studio, $2,935 for a one-bedroom apartment, and around $3,756 for a two-bedroom apartment. If you opt for a three-bedroom rental, you could pay $5,274 or more.

Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Studio
$2,435/month
469 Sq Ft
One Bedroom
$2,935/month
696 Sq Ft
Two Bedroom
$3,756/month
989 Sq Ft
Three Bedroom
$5,274/month
1,276 Sq Ft
Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
One Bedroom
$2,487/month
440 Sq Ft
Two Bedroom
$5,205/month
1,317 Sq Ft
Three Bedroom
$6,654/month
1,627 Sq Ft
Four Bedroom
$16,787/month
3,672 Sq Ft
Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
One Bedroom
$2,790/month
862 Sq Ft
Two Bedroom
$4,011/month
2,897 Sq Ft
Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Two Bedroom
$4,612/month
1,246 Sq Ft

How much has average rent changed in San Mateo, CA?

In the past year, rent has increased by 3.8%, which averages out to $113 more per month.

Market Trends Over Time   The chart below compares average rent prices to the previous year during the same time period.
Last Updated December 2025
Legend
2024 2025
Market Trends Over Time
Rent Ranges in San Mateo, CA
Last Updated December 2025
Above $2,000
Most rental prices fall within this range
Rent Ranges in San Mateo, CA
Percentage*
Rent Range
0% Below $700/month
2% $700 - $1,000/month
6% $1,001 - $1,500/month
19% $1,501 - $2,000/month
73% Above $2,000/month

Rent by Neighborhood

Last Updated Today
  • Most Affordable
  • Most Expensive
  • Most Available

What are the most affordable neighborhoods in San Mateo?

Based on current rent prices, Sugarloaf, Beresford Park and Shoreview are the most affordable neighborhoods in San Mateo.

Calculate Rent Affordability
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Sugarloaf
$2,937/month
728 Sq Ft
Beresford Park
$3,051/month
704 Sq Ft
Shoreview
$3,058/month
668 Sq Ft
North B-Tilton Avenue
$3,065/month
686 Sq Ft
Lakeshore Estates
$3,095/month
676 Sq Ft
Baywood-Aragon
$3,113/month
645 Sq Ft
Marina Lagoon
$3,245/month
742 Sq Ft
Hillsdale
$3,319/month
676 Sq Ft
Parrot Park
$3,390/month
687 Sq Ft
West El Camino
$3,442/month
689 Sq Ft

What are the most expensive neighborhoods in San Mateo?

Based on current rent prices, Gateway, Bowie Estate Eastern and Downtown San Mateo are the most expensive neighborhoods in San Mateo.

Calculate Rent Affordability
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Gateway
$4,261/month
898 Sq Ft
Bowie Estate Eastern
$4,259/month
898 Sq Ft
Downtown San Mateo
$3,768/month
803 Sq Ft
North Central
$3,532/month
790 Sq Ft
Hayward Park
$3,483/month
782 Sq Ft
West El Camino
$3,442/month
689 Sq Ft
Parrot Park
$3,390/month
687 Sq Ft
Hillsdale
$3,319/month
676 Sq Ft
Marina Lagoon
$3,245/month
742 Sq Ft
Baywood-Aragon
$3,113/month
645 Sq Ft

Which San Mateo neighborhoods have the most rentals available?

The neighborhoods in San Mateo with the most apartments available are Shoreview, Lakeshore Estates and North Central .

Calculate Rent Affordability
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Shoreview
$3,058/month
668 Sq Ft
Lakeshore Estates
$3,095/month
676 Sq Ft
North Central
$3,532/month
790 Sq Ft
Downtown San Mateo
$3,768/month
803 Sq Ft
Hayward Park
$3,483/month
782 Sq Ft
Hillsdale
$3,319/month
676 Sq Ft
Beresford Park
$3,051/month
704 Sq Ft
Gateway
$4,261/month
898 Sq Ft
Bowie Estate Eastern
$4,259/month
898 Sq Ft
West El Camino
$3,442/month
689 Sq Ft
This information is based on data collected by CoStar Group researchers.†

What salary do I need to live comfortably in San Mateo, CA?

Because the average rent in San Mateo is $2,935, you’ll want to make about $9,783 per month or $117,396 per year. The general guideline is to pay no more than 30 percent of your monthly income on rent. However, you’ll want to consider additional factors, such as your monthly bills and other expenses. Use our rent affordability calculator to help determine how much to budget for rent.

City

San Mateo, CA

840 Available Apartments for Rent

Search for Nearby Apartments

How does San Mateo, CA compare to other nearby cities and neighborhoods?

Use the tool below to compare San Mateo, CA to other nearby cities and neighborhoods. The Apartments.com neighborhood guides provide you with insight into the area’s transportation, things to do, and more.

Explore the Area Guide for San Mateo, CA

Apartment Averages

Sugarloaf

San Mateo, CA

Gateway

San Mateo, CA

Studio
$1,940/month
-
One Bedroom
$2,301/month
-
Two Bedroom
$3,234/month
-
Three Bedroom
$3,551/month
-
Search
Search

Nearby City Rent Trends

  • Foster City Average Rent
  • Belmont Average Rent
  • Burlingame Average Rent
  • San Carlos Average Rent
  • Millbrae Average Rent
  • Redwood City Average Rent
  • San Bruno Average Rent

Apartment communities in San Mateo we think you'll love

Bridgepointe

Bridgepointe

1987 Bridgepointe Pky,
San Mateo, CA 94404

$3,154 - $5,247

1-3 Beds

Hillsdale Garden

Hillsdale Garden

3500 Edison St,
San Mateo, CA 94403

$2,408 - $5,461

Studio - 3 Beds

Bay Terrace

Bay Terrace

3204 Casa De Campo Way,
San Mateo, CA 94403

$2,974 - $4,031

2-3 Beds

CitySouth

CitySouth

3055 La Selva Ln,
San Mateo, CA 94403

$2,770 - $3,899

1-3 Beds

Property Management Companies in San Mateo, CA

Spieker Companies, Inc.
Spieker Companies, Inc.
  • 43

    Communities

  • 2,835

    Units

  • 15

    Cities

8 Communities in San Mateo
Essex
Essex
  • 105

    Communities

  • 36,756

    Units

  • 53

    Cities

5 Communities in San Mateo
Woodmont Real Estate Services
Woodmont Real Estate Services
  • 68

    Communities

  • 10,791

    Units

  • 32

    Cities

5 Communities in San Mateo
Prometheus Real Estate Group, Inc.
Prometheus Real Estate Group, Inc.
  • 40

    Communities

  • 11,607

    Units

  • 12

    Cities

5 Communities in San Mateo
Greystar
Greystar
  • 3,450

    Communities

  • 951,424

    Units

  • 875

    Cities

4 Communities in San Mateo
Equity Residential
Equity Residential
  • 170

    Communities

  • 55,004

    Units

  • 76

    Cities

4 Communities in San Mateo
Income Property Specialists
Income Property Specialists
  • 15

    Communities

  • 744

    Units

  • 8

    Cities

3 Communities in San Mateo
UDR
UDR
  • 170

    Communities

  • 58,643

    Units

  • 85

    Cities

2 Communities in San Mateo

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United States California San Mateo Rental Trends

Methodology

† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.

Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.

Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in November 2025.

* Percentages may not total 100 due to rounding.

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Equal Housing Opportunity