How much does it cost to rent in San Mateo, CA?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in San Mateo, CA is $3,667. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is San Mateo cheaper than other California cities?

San Mateo is one of the pricier cities in California, ranking #66 out of 387 cities tracked at $3,667/mo.

When was San Mateo rent data last updated?

San Mateo rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

City Report · CA

San Mateo

Name: Average Rent Prices in San Mateo, CA
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 103,105·66th most expensive in California·San Mateo rents are up 9.3% over the past year

Median rent (all units)

$3,667/mo

Year-over-Year

+9.3%

Month-over-Month

+2.6%

vs US Median

+$1,702

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

San Mateo · $3,667

More expensive than 96% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

31/100

Overpriced

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 9% above what San Mateo's 10-year trend predicts — running hotter than its own history.

Actual rent

$3,667/mo

Expected by trend

$3,356/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where San Mateo's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$2,537

1 BR

$3,100

2 BR

$3,700

3 BR

$4,613

4 BR+

$4,907

Research median

$3,700/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$44,004/yr

At $3,667/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 9.3% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+9.3% YoY, +2.6% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

San Mateo, CA is roughly split between renters and owners, has a median income above the national average, 57.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

103,105

Median income

$153,504

Median age

38.3

Renters

50.1%

Age distribution

19.6%

24.5%

27.9%

17%

Under 1819.6%

18–3424.5%

35–5427.9%

55–6411%

65+17%

Gender

49.5%

50.5%

Male49.5%

Female50.5%

Race & ethnicity

37.9%

27.6%

28.3%

White37.9%

Black1.4%

Hispanic27.6%

Asian28.3%

Other4.7%

Education (25+)

12.5%

20.4%

57.8%

No HS diploma9.2%

HS diploma12.5%

Some college20.4%

Bachelor's+57.8%

Housing tenure

49.9%

50.1%

Owner49.9%

Renter50.1%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How San Mateo, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$2,777 → $3,667

up 32.0%

Income

$133,612 → $153,504

up 14.9%

Population

105,087 → 103,105

down 1.9%

Renter share

48.1% → 50.1%

+2.0 pts

Bachelor's+

58.2% → 57.8%

-0.4 pts

Median age

37.7 → 38.3

+0.6 yrs

Five years ago, renters in San Mateo, CA paid around $2,777 a month. That figure now sits near $3,667, up 32.0% from the 2021 baseline. Median household income climbed from $133,612 to $153,504 between 2021 and 2024, a 14.9% shift. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Census counts show San Mateo, CA losing about 1,982 residents over the five-year window, down 1.9% on net. The renter share has risen from 48.1% to 50.1%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Taken together, the five-year picture in San Mateo, CA reflects how housing costs and the people paying them have evolved through a stretch that included a pandemic, a hot rental market, and a recent cooling phase.

Community

Discussions about San Mateo

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View San Mateo rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in San Mateo on your salary?

At $3,667/mo, how San Mateo rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $111,486/yr · Rent = 39.5% income

stretched

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $79,154/yr · Rent = 55.6% income

severely rent-burdened

Police Officer

Avg $91,179/yr · Rent = 48.3% income

rent-burdened

Software Developer

Avg $162,970/yr · Rent = 27% income

affordable

Lawyer

Avg $208,235/yr · Rent = 21.1% income

affordable

Firefighter

Avg $74,116/yr · Rent = 59.4% income

severely rent-burdened

Truck Driver

Avg $66,918/yr · Rent = 65.8% income

severely rent-burdened

Electrician

Avg $82,482/yr · Rent = 53.3% income

severely rent-burdened

By apartment size

San Mateo rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in San Mateo. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in San Mateo

About renting in San Mateo, CA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in San Mateo is $3,667/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,537/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $3,700/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $3,100/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $4,613/mo.

At 29% of local median household income ($153,504/yr), San Mateo ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 9.3% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is San Mateo an affordable city for renters?

San Mateo is considered affordable for renters. At $3,667/mo, rent takes approximately 29% of the local median household income ($153,504/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. San Mateo falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in San Mateo?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $147,000/year (~$71/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $3,667/mo in San Mateo. The local median household income is $153,504/yr, meaning the typical San Mateo household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in San Mateo?

Rent in San Mateo has increased 9.3% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which San Mateo neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in San Mateo are 94401 ($3,449/mo), 94403 ($3,663/mo), and 94402 ($3,862/mo). Citywide, the median rent in San Mateo is $3,667/mo.

How does San Mateo rent compare to other cities in California?

San Mateo is one of the pricier cities in California for rent, ranking #66 out of 387 tracked cities at $3,667/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than San Mateo?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than San Mateo ($3,667/mo): Belmont ($3,346/mo), Millbrae ($3,481/mo).

What percentage of San Mateo residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 50.1% of San Mateo households are renters, while 49.9% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, San Mateo has a strong rental market.

How does San Mateo rent compare to the national average?

San Mateo's median rent of $3,667/mo is $1,702 (87%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within California, it ranks #66 out of 387 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

29%

AFFORDABLE

At $3,667/mo, rent takes ~29% of San Mateo's median household income ($153,504/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

San Mateo 29%Benchmark 30%

State income tax1–13.3%

Run the San Mateo affordability calculator →

Nearby cities