What is the average rent in San Mateo?

The median asking rent in San Mateo is $3,833/mo across 409 available listings in Fairway's index. Current residents pay a median of $3,077/mo (Census estimate), which includes long-held leases.

How much is a 1-bedroom vs a 2-bedroom in San Mateo?

A one-bedroom in San Mateo runs about $3,399/mo and a two-bedroom about $4,599/mo, from live listings across our index.

What income do I need to rent in San Mateo?

At the 30% rule, the $3,833/mo median asking rent in San Mateo takes about $153,320 a year in gross income. Landlords typically ask for 2.5–3× the monthly rent.

How many people rent in San Mateo?

50% of San Mateo's 103,105 residents rent rather than own.

How many rentals are available in San Mateo right now?

428 rentals are available in San Mateo right now, 409 of them with a listed rent and bedroom count, across the 191 rental properties Fairway tracks there, refreshed continuously across our listing sources.

Is San Mateo cheaper than the rest of SF Bay Area?

By what current residents pay (Census estimates), San Mateo's $3,077/mo median is 16% above the SF Bay Area average.

Apartments for rent in San Mateo, priced and graded.

Median asking rent in San Mateo is $3,833/mo across 409 available listings. Current residents pay a median of $3,077/mo (Census estimate) — 16% above the SF Bay Area average and 120% above the national one. 50% of the 103,105 people here rent. Fairway tracks 191 San Mateo properties across 9 sources, refreshed hourly.

See rent by bedroom

#114Best for Familiesof 528

#128Most Diverseof 528

#52Best Public Schoolsof 135

#230Best Places to Liveof 523

How much is rent in San Mateo?

A one-bedroom in San Mateo runs $3,399/mo and a two-bedroom $4,599/mo, from live listings across our index.

No. of beds	Median	% of rentals	Units available	Find places
Studio	$3,443/mo	9%	36	Find places →
1 Bedroom	$3,399/mo	43%	176	Find places →
2 Bedroom	$4,599/mo	33%	135	Find places →
3+ Bedroom	$5,800/mo	15%	62	Find places →

Medians: live listings in Fairway's rental index for San Mateo, computed at page load. Availability refreshed continuously.

Rent affordability

Household income

$/yr

Comfortable is the 30% rule; landlords here typically require 2.5–3× the monthly rent in gross income. San Mateo's $3,833/mo median asking rent sits in your comfortable range.

Who rents in San Mateo

Census Rent Data

Rent Distribution

How much residents in San Mateo pay in rent (Census data).

Under $500

$500–$999

$1,000–$1,499

$1,500–$1,999

10%

$2,000+

83%

Is San Mateo a good place to live?

Yes: San Mateo grades A overall — strongest on public schools, weakest on cost of living.

Neighborhood Grades

Public SchoolsA+

Cost of LivingD+

SafetyC+

NightlifeA-

Outdoor ActivitiesA

WalkabilityA-

Weather

Average Temperatures

Monthly high and low temperatures in San Mateo.

90°65°40°

58°

40°

62°

43°

65°

45°

69°

46°

74°

50°

79°

54°

82°

56°

81°

56°

80°

54°

74°

50°

65°

44°

58°

40°

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Demographics & Diversity

Population, age distribution, and diversity breakdown for San Mateo.

Population103,105

Median Income$154K

White

34%

Asian

28%

Hispanic

28%

Two or More

Black

Pacific Islander

Other

Commute & Transportation

How residents of San Mateo get to work.

Drive Alone58%

Walk/Bike3%

Work from Home25%

Housing Stock

Types of Housing

Housing type and age distribution in San Mateo.

Home Types

Single Family

42%

Large Apt Building

34%

Small Apt Building

15%

Townhouse

10%

Mobile Home

Home Age

2000–Present

13%

1980–1999

17%

1960–1979

27%

1940–1959

34%

Before 1939

10%

Schools

Elementary Schools (11)

College Park Elementary School

K-5 · 407 students

23:1

George Hall Elementary School

K-5 · 358 students

18:1

Baywood Elementary School

K-5 · 501 students

23:1

A-

Highlands Elementary School

K-5 · 355 students

21:1

B+

Meadow Heights Elementary School

K-5 · 243 students

17:1

B+

Beresford Elementary School

K-5 · 212 students

19:1

Laurel Elementary School

K-5 · 475 students

21:1

Fiesta Gardens International School

K-5 · 412 students

22:1

B-

Sunnybrae Elementary School

K-5 · 359 students

20:1

C+

Lead Elementary School

K-5 · 349 students

19:1

C+

San Mateo Park Elementary

K-5 · 326 students

20:1

Middle Schools (5)

North Shoreview Montessori Elementary

K-8 · 293 students

23:1

Parkside Montessori (PK-8)

PK, K-8 · 421 students

21:1

A-

Bayside Academy

K-8 · 855 students

19:1

A-

Borel Middle School

6-8 · 934 students

19:1

B+

Abbott Middle School

6-8 · 698 students

17:1

High Schools (3)

A+

Hillsdale High School

9-12 · 1,581 students

18:1

A+

San Mateo High School

9-12 · 1,578 students

18:1

A+

Aragon High School

9-12 · 1,686 students

22:1

Renting in San Mateo, explained

What is the average rent in San Mateo?: The median asking rent in San Mateo is $3,833/mo across 409 available listings in Fairway's index. Current residents pay a median of $3,077/mo (Census estimate), which includes long-held leases.
How much is a 1-bedroom vs a 2-bedroom in San Mateo?: A one-bedroom in San Mateo runs about $3,399/mo and a two-bedroom about $4,599/mo, from live listings across our index.
Is San Mateo a good place to live?: Yes: San Mateo grades A overall — strongest on public schools, weakest on cost of living.
What income do I need to rent in San Mateo?: At the 30% rule, the $3,833/mo median asking rent in San Mateo takes about $153,320 a year in gross income. Landlords typically ask for 2.5–3× the monthly rent.
How many people rent in San Mateo?: 50% of San Mateo's 103,105 residents rent rather than own.
How many rentals are available in San Mateo right now?: 428 rentals are available in San Mateo right now, 409 of them with a listed rent and bedroom count, across the 191 rental properties Fairway tracks there, refreshed continuously across our listing sources.
Is San Mateo cheaper than the rest of SF Bay Area?: By what current residents pay (Census estimates), San Mateo's $3,077/mo median is 16% above the SF Bay Area average.

The honest answers.

How is Fairway free?: Properties pay us a referral fee after you move in, the same fee they'd otherwise pay a broker. You pay nothing, ever, and we're paid after your decision rather than for influencing it.
Do you have every listing, or just partners?: We search everything we can reach: the major portals, Craigslist, property management sites, and buildings that only list on their own page. Most of what you see comes from properties that pay us nothing.
Is a real person involved?: Your agent is AI. It searches, calls properties, and books tours. A human on our team steps in when something needs judgment, like a lease clause that looks wrong.
What if I already found a place?: Tell us and we'll pressure-test it: the real monthly cost, what's in the lease, and whether something better posted this week. If it's the right place, we'll say so.

Renter guides

Free for renters · San Mateo

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