1-Bedroom Apartments for Rent in San Leandro
As of September 2, 2026, Rentomatics tracks 49 1-bedroom apartments for rent in San Leandro, starting at $1,200/month. Listings are aggregated from Craigslist, Zumper, and other Bay Area sources and refreshed continuously.
San Leandro is a mid-sized East Bay city in Alameda County, wedged between Oakland to the north and Hayward to the south, with the San Francisco Bay marina to its west and the hills rising to the east. It grew up as a working-class industrial and cannery town, and that practical, blue-collar character still runs through its street grids and its manufacturing districts along the Nimitz corridor. The commercial spine is East 14th Street, which runs the length of the city and carries a growing Asian food scene alongside longtime taquerias, Filipino markets, and diners. Downtown clusters around the San Leandro BART station and Washington Avenue, while the western edge opens onto the San Leandro Marina and Monarch Bay. Compared with pricier BART cities to the north, San Leandro remains one of the more attainable places to rent within reach of the regional transit system.
One-bedrooms in San Leandro are the sweet spot for singles and couples who want a separate bedroom without taking on a roommate.
49 listings available — updated September 2, 2026, refreshed continuously
Pacific Apartments, 1275 Pacific Ave #6c61fe7d1, San Leandro, CA 94577
$1,750/mo
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Living in San Leandro
The vibe
The feel is suburban and unpretentious — flat residential grids of postwar tract homes and bungalows, wide arterials, and neighborhood shopping strips rather than a dense nightlife scene. Historic pockets like Estudillo Estates and the Broadmoor district hold well-kept older homes and tree-lined streets, while the Bay-O-Vista hills give a few blocks bay views. It is culturally mixed and family-oriented, with a strong Latino and Asian presence reflected in the shops and restaurants along East 14th and Washington Avenue. Community life centers on the marina park, the annual Cherry Festival downtown, and everyday amenities like Bayfair Center near the Bay Fair station.
Getting around
San Leandro is unusually well-served for a suburban city, with two BART stations — San Leandro downtown and Bay Fair to the south — putting downtown Oakland roughly fifteen minutes away and downtown San Francisco roughly half an hour. Bay Fair is a junction station where the Dublin/Pleasanton line branches east toward the Tri-Valley, while both stations connect south toward Fremont and Berryessa. AC Transit buses run frequently along East 14th Street and the main arterials, and Oakland International Airport sits just a few miles northwest. For drivers, Interstate 880 (the Nimitz Freeway) cuts through the city with I-580 along the eastern edge and the 238 connector linking them. The flat terrain makes much of the city bikeable, though the wide, car-oriented arterials are the dominant way people move around.
The rental market
Housing stock skews older, dominated by single-family postwar tract homes and 1940s–50s bungalows in neighborhoods like Washington Manor, Broadmoor, and Farrelly Pond, plus a stock of mid-century garden apartment complexes and duplexes. Newer transit-oriented apartment buildings have gone up around the downtown San Leandro BART station, offering modern finishes, elevators, and in-unit laundry that the older stock generally lacks. Renters trading amenities for space will find more house rentals and larger family units here than in denser cities to the north. Relative to Oakland, Berkeley, and the Peninsula, San Leandro remains solidly affordable among BART-accessible options, which is much of its draw.
Who it's for
San Leandro suits commuters who want a genuine BART link to Oakland and San Francisco without paying inner-East-Bay rents, and families or roommates who want more square footage, a yard, or off-street parking than denser cities offer. It also fits renters who prefer a quiet, low-key residential setting and easy freeway and airport access. The honest tradeoffs: it is suburban and car-centric, with limited walkable nightlife and dining outside the East 14th corridor and downtown core; much of the housing is older and can lack central air, modern kitchens, or laundry; and the neighborhoods flanking I-880 and the industrial districts carry more freeway and traffic noise. Those wanting a dense, urban, night-out neighborhood will be happier closer to Oakland.
Frequently asked
How many 1-bedroom apartments are available in San Leandro right now?
As of September 2, 2026, Rentomatics tracks 49 1-bedroom apartments for rent in San Leandro. Listings refresh continuously from Craigslist, Zumper, and other Bay Area sources.
What is the rent for a 1-bedroom in San Leandro?
Among current Rentomatics listings, 1-bedroom apartments in San Leandro start at $1,200/month, with an average of $1,943 and a median of $1,950/month. Prices reflect 49 active listings updated September 2, 2026.
How often are Rentomatics listings updated?
Rentomatics continuously refreshes listings from Craigslist, Zumper, and other Bay Area rental sources. Stale listings are removed within 5 days of last sighting.
Does Rentomatics show broker fees?
Yes. Every Rentomatics listing displays whether a broker fee applies, and users can filter to show only no-fee apartments.
What is San Leandro like?
San Leandro is working-class East Bay south of Oakland — two BART stations (San Leandro and Bay Fair), suburban grids, and a growing Asian food scene along E 14th. Solidly affordable among BART-accessible options; 1BRs often $1,900-$2,300.