4+ Bedroom Apartment Rent in San Mateo, CA
Median asking rent for a 4+ bedroom apartment in San Mateo, California as of July 2026. That's +34% higher than the citywide median of $3,667 and +95% above the national 4+ bedroom median of $2,520.
Income needed for a 4+ 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 4+ 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 4+ bedroom in California
| # | City | 4+ Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ridgecrest | $1,823 |
| 2 | Taft | $1,930 |
| 3 | Lakeport | $1,980 |
| 4 | Barstow | $2,001 |
| 5 | California City | $2,070 |
| 6 | Florin | $2,076 |
| 7 | Clearlake | $2,100 |
| 8 | Porterville | $2,210 |
| 9 | Oroville | $2,215 |
| 10 | El Centro | $2,220 |
| 11 | Paradise | $2,230 |
| 12 | Red Bluff | $2,230 |
| 13 | La Riviera | $2,250 |
| 14 | Eureka | $2,280 |
| 15 | Florence-Graham | $2,296 |
Most expensive cities for a 4+ bedroom in California
| # | City | 4+ Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coronado | $6,970 |
| 2 | Solana Beach | $6,500 |
| 3 | Santa Cruz | $6,455 |
| 4 | Cupertino | $6,370 |
| 5 | Scotts Valley | $6,270 |
| 6 | Ladera Ranch | $6,270 |
| 7 | Aptos | $6,270 |
| 8 | Newport Beach | $6,188 |
| 9 | Coto de Caza | $6,130 |
| 10 | Foster City | $6,050 |
| 11 | Irvine | $5,986 |
| 12 | Carlsbad | $5,908 |
| 13 | Los Altos | $5,850 |
| 14 | Encinitas | $5,820 |
| 15 | Laguna Beach | $5,770 |
Nearby cities — 4+ bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 4+ bedroom rents than San Mateo.
| City | Distance | 4+ Bedroom rent | vs San Mateo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belmont, CA | 2.7 mi | $4,890 | $-17 (0%) |
| Burlingame, CA | 2.8 mi | $3,501 | $-1,406 (-29%) |
| Foster City, CA | 3.8 mi | $6,050 | +$1,143 (+23%) |
| San Carlos, CA | 4.9 mi | $4,710 | $-197 (-4%) |
| Millbrae, CA | 6.6 mi | $5,400 | +$493 (+10%) |
| Redwood City, CA | 7.5 mi | $4,960 | +$53 (+1%) |
| Half Moon Bay, CA | 8.1 mi | $4,030 | $-877 (-18%) |
| San Bruno, CA | 9.4 mi | $4,230 | $-677 (-14%) |
| South San Francisco, CA | 10.2 mi | $4,120 | $-787 (-16%) |
| Pacifica, CA | 11.5 mi | $4,390 | $-517 (-11%) |
| Menlo Park, CA | 11.8 mi | $4,960 | +$53 (+1%) |
| Daly City, CA | 13.7 mi | $4,230 | $-677 (-14%) |
4+ Bedroom rent in San Mateo — common questions
How much is a 4+ bedroom apartment in San Mateo?
As of July 2026, the median 4+ bedroom apartment rent in San Mateo, California is $4,907 per month. This is +34% higher than the citywide median of $3,667.
What income do you need to afford a 4+ bedroom in San Mateo?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $196,280 ($16,357/month gross), which works out to roughly $94.37/hour at a full-time job.
Is San Mateo expensive for a 4+ bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
San Mateo's 4+ bedroom median of $4,907 is +95% above the national 4+ bedroom median of $2,520. It ranks in the 97th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does San Mateo rank for 4+ bedroom rent in California?
Among the 384 cities in California with 4+ bedroom data, San Mateo ranks #305 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 4+ bedroom options near San Mateo?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 4+ bedroom rents include Belmont ($4,890), Burlingame ($3,501), San Carlos ($4,710).