2-Bedroom Apartment Rent in San Mateo, CA
Median asking rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in San Mateo, California as of July 2026. That's +1% higher than the citywide median of $3,667 and +124% above the national 2-bedroom median of $1,655.
Income needed for a 2-bedroom in San Mateo
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a 2-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in San Mateo
Compare San Mateo's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 2-bedroom in California
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ridgecrest | $1,107 |
| 2 | Taft | $1,140 |
| 3 | Lakeport | $1,180 |
| 4 | Barstow | $1,216 |
| 5 | California City | $1,230 |
| 6 | Clearlake | $1,250 |
| 7 | Oroville | $1,305 |
| 8 | El Centro | $1,330 |
| 9 | Paradise | $1,330 |
| 10 | Red Bluff | $1,350 |
| 11 | Eureka | $1,360 |
| 12 | Shafter | $1,380 |
| 13 | Porterville | $1,390 |
| 14 | Hanford | $1,400 |
| 15 | Tehachapi | $1,440 |
Most expensive cities for a 2-bedroom in California
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Cruz | $4,865 |
| 2 | Scotts Valley | $4,720 |
| 3 | Aptos | $4,720 |
| 4 | Foster City | $4,560 |
| 5 | Cupertino | $4,500 |
| 6 | Capitola | $4,290 |
| 7 | Coronado | $4,280 |
| 8 | Tiburon | $4,210 |
| 9 | Los Altos | $4,170 |
| 10 | Millbrae | $4,070 |
| 11 | Corte Madera | $4,040 |
| 12 | Solana Beach | $3,990 |
| 13 | Sunnyvale | $3,980 |
| 14 | Topanga | $3,940 |
| 15 | Rancho Palos Verdes | $3,940 |
Nearby cities — 2-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 2-bedroom rents than San Mateo.
| City | Distance | 2-Bedroom rent | vs San Mateo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belmont, CA | 2.7 mi | $3,690 | $-10 (0%) |
| Burlingame, CA | 2.8 mi | $3,342 | $-358 (-10%) |
| Foster City, CA | 3.8 mi | $4,560 | +$860 (+23%) |
| San Carlos, CA | 4.9 mi | $3,550 | $-150 (-4%) |
| Millbrae, CA | 6.6 mi | $4,070 | +$370 (+10%) |
| Redwood City, CA | 7.5 mi | $3,737 | +$37 (+1%) |
| Half Moon Bay, CA | 8.1 mi | $3,030 | $-670 (-18%) |
| San Bruno, CA | 9.4 mi | $3,190 | $-510 (-14%) |
| South San Francisco, CA | 10.2 mi | $3,110 | $-590 (-16%) |
| Pacifica, CA | 11.5 mi | $3,310 | $-390 (-11%) |
| Menlo Park, CA | 11.8 mi | $3,740 | +$40 (+1%) |
| Daly City, CA | 13.7 mi | $3,185 | $-515 (-14%) |
2-Bedroom rent in San Mateo — common questions
How much is a 2-bedroom apartment in San Mateo?
As of July 2026, the median 2-bedroom apartment rent in San Mateo, California is $3,700 per month. This is +1% higher than the citywide median of $3,667.
What income do you need to afford a 2-bedroom in San Mateo?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $148,000 ($12,333/month gross), which works out to roughly $71.15/hour at a full-time job.
Is San Mateo expensive for a 2-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
San Mateo's 2-bedroom median of $3,700 is +124% above the national 2-bedroom median of $1,655. It ranks in the 99th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does San Mateo rank for 2-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 386 cities in California with 2-bedroom data, San Mateo ranks #351 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 2-bedroom options near San Mateo?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 2-bedroom rents include Belmont ($3,690), Burlingame ($3,342), San Carlos ($3,550).