San Mateo, CA Rental Market Trends
Last updated: February 17, 2026 | Source: RentCafe Market Analysis, Yardi Matrix, U.S. Census Bureau
Highlights
The average rent for an apartment in San Mateo is $3,604, a 4.53% increase compared to the previous year, when the average rent was $3,448.
Studio Apartments at $2,823 offer the most budget-friendly option with 521 square feet, ideal for single renters prioritizing location over space.
One-bedroom apartments provide 731 square feet for $3,153, balancing privacy and affordability.
Two-beedroom units at $4,069 offer 1,039 square feet, perfect for roommates or small families.
Three-bedroom apartments deliver maximum space (1,301 sq ft) for $5,118, suitable for larger households.
Average rent in San Mateo, CA
Last updated: February 17, 2026
| Average Rent | Average Apartment Size | |
|---|---|---|
| All Rentals | $3,604 | 873 sq. ft. |
| Studio | $2,823 | 521 sq. ft. |
| 1 Bed | $3,153 | 731 sq. ft. |
| 2 Beds | $4,069 | 1,039 sq. ft. |
| 3 Beds | $5,118 | 1,301 sq. ft. |
San Mateo, CA rent trends
Rental prices in San Mateo, CA have increased by 4.53% over the past year. The average rent moved from $3,448 to $3,604.
What's the typical rent budget in San Mateo, CA?
The largest share of rentals in San Mateo, CA (76%) 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?
19,549 or 49% of the households in San Mateo, CA are renter-occupied while 20,211 or 51% are owner-occupied.
Most affordable neighborhoods in San Mateo?
San Mateo Park $3,027/month
Lakeshore $3,239/month
Shoreview $3,363/month
All of these neighborhoods fall below the city wide average of $3,604/month.Most expensive neighborhoods in San Mateo?
Hayward Park $3,836/month
Fiesta Gardens $3,913/month
Bay Meadows $4,903/month
These neighborhoods typically command higher rents due to location, amenities, and demand.Average Rent in San Mateo, CA By Neighborhood
| Neighborhood | Average Rent |
|---|---|
| Bay Meadows | $4,903 |
| Fiesta Gardens | $3,913 |
| Hayward Park | $3,836 |
| Beresford Manor | $3,738 |
| North Central San Mateo | $3,678 |
| Baywood | $3,646 |
| Foster City | $3,495 |
| Westwood Knolls | $3,363 |
| Shoreview | $3,363 |
| Lakeshore | $3,239 |
| San Mateo Park | $3,027 |
/
/
San Mateo | Rent Comparison by Neighborhood
Rent in Bay Meadows is 34% higher than in Baywood
$4,903
Bay Meadows rent is 36% higher than San Mateo average
Average Rent
$4,903
$3,646
Baywood rent is 1% higher than San Mateo average
Average Rent
$3,646
How San Mateo Compares to Other Cities
| City | Average Rent |
|---|---|
| San Mateo | $3,604 |
| Los Angeles | $2,740 |
| San Francisco | $3,580 |
| East Bay | $2,643 |
| San Diego | $2,958 |
| Long Beach | $2,645 |
| Sacramento | $1,894 |
| San Jose | $3,118 |
| Oakland | $2,578 |
| Tulare | $1,674 |
| Santa Monica | $3,626 |
| Sunnyvale | $3,425 |
| Mountain View | $3,749 |
| Berkeley | $3,294 |
| Palo Alto, CA | $2,935 |
| Santa Clara, CA | $3,469 |
| Fremont, CA | $2,830 |
| Menlo Park, CA | $4,537 |
| Redwood City, CA | $3,708 |
| Hayward, CA | $2,417 |
| Alameda, CA | $2,987 |
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.