Studio Apartment Rent in San Mateo, CA
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in San Mateo, California as of October 2026. That's +36% lower than the citywide median of $3,968 and +97% above the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio 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 studio 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 studio in California
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florin | $738 |
| 2 | Taft | $870 |
| 3 | Ridgecrest | $887 |
| 4 | Lakeport | $890 |
| 5 | El Centro | $910 |
| 6 | Red Bluff | $930 |
| 7 | California City | $940 |
| 8 | Clearlake | $950 |
| 9 | Paradise | $970 |
| 10 | Eureka | $980 |
| 11 | Oroville | $985 |
| 12 | Fortuna | $990 |
| 13 | Porterville | $1,050 |
| 14 | Anderson | $1,060 |
| 15 | Shafter | $1,060 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in California
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Montecito | $3,570 |
| 2 | Scotts Valley | $3,420 |
| 3 | Aptos | $3,420 |
| 4 | Cupertino | $3,410 |
| 5 | Coronado | $3,190 |
| 6 | Ladera Ranch | $3,140 |
| 7 | Los Altos | $3,130 |
| 8 | Foster City | $3,130 |
| 9 | Newport Beach | $3,102 |
| 10 | Capitola | $3,100 |
| 11 | Sunnyvale | $3,010 |
| 12 | Santa Barbara | $3,000 |
| 13 | Irvine | $3,000 |
| 14 | Solana Beach | $2,970 |
| 15 | Saratoga | $2,910 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than San Mateo.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs San Mateo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belmont, CA | 2.7 mi | $2,530 | $-7 (0%) |
| Burlingame, CA | 2.8 mi | $2,409 | $-128 (-5%) |
| Foster City, CA | 3.8 mi | $3,130 | +$593 (+23%) |
| San Carlos, CA | 4.9 mi | $2,430 | $-107 (-4%) |
| Millbrae, CA | 6.6 mi | $2,790 | +$253 (+10%) |
| Redwood City, CA | 7.5 mi | $2,560 | +$23 (+1%) |
| Half Moon Bay, CA | 8.1 mi | $2,070 | $-467 (-18%) |
| San Bruno, CA | 9.4 mi | $2,190 | $-347 (-14%) |
| South San Francisco, CA | 10.2 mi | $2,130 | $-407 (-16%) |
| Pacifica, CA | 11.5 mi | $2,270 | $-267 (-11%) |
| Menlo Park, CA | 11.8 mi | $2,560 | +$23 (+1%) |
| Daly City, CA | 13.7 mi | $2,180 | $-357 (-14%) |
Studio rent in San Mateo — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in San Mateo?
As of October 2026, the median studio apartment rent in San Mateo, California is $2,537 per month. This is +36% below the citywide median of $3,968.
What income do you need to afford a studio in San Mateo?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $101,480 ($8,457/month gross), which works out to roughly $48.79/hour at a full-time job.
Is San Mateo expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
San Mateo's studio median of $2,537 is +97% above the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 97th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does San Mateo rank for studio rent in California?
Among the 378 cities in California with studio data, San Mateo ranks #314 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near San Mateo?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Belmont ($2,530), Burlingame ($2,409), San Carlos ($2,430).