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Cheap Apartments for Rent in Costa Mesa, CA from $1,000 (48 Rentals)
Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in Costa Mesa.
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Rent Specials
from $1,500Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Now
Apex Apartments
530 W Wilson StCosta Mesa, CA 92627
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from $1,6501 to 2 Bedroom Apartments Contact Us For Availability
Monrovia Arms Apartments
1887 Monrovia AveCosta Mesa, CA 92627
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from $1,875Studio to 3 Bedroom Apartments Available Now
Costa Mirage
393 Hamilton StCosta Mesa, CA 92627
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from $1,9001 Bedroom Apartments Contact Us For Availability
Ponderosa Mobile Estates
1991 Newport BlvdCosta Mesa, CA 92627
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from $1,950Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments Available Jun 15
The Hamilton Apartments
780-790 Hamilton StCosta Mesa, CA 92627
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Rent Specials
from $1,975Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Now
Westbay Apartments
825 Center StCosta Mesa, CA 92627
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from $1,995Studio to 3 Bedroom Apartments Available Now
Harbor Village Apartments
2500 Merrimac WayCosta Mesa, CA 92626
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from $1,9951 to 3 Bedroom Apartments Available Now
Casa Victoria Apartments
525 Victoria StCosta Mesa, CA 92627
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from $1,999Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Now
Newport Village Apartments
635 W Baker StCosta Mesa, CA 92626
Roommate Matching: Finding the Right Fit and Avoiding Pitfalls
When searching for a roommate, follow this list of essential steps and set clear expectations to create a solid foundation for a harmonious living situation.
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from $1,946Studio to 3 Bedroom Apartments Available Now
Harbor at Mesa Verde
2700 Peterson PlCosta Mesa, CA 92626
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from $2,0951 Bedroom Apartments Available Now
Monte Sereno Apartments
1800 Wallace AveCosta Mesa, CA 92627
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from $2,1001 to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Now
Pinecreek Apartments
2300 Fairview RdCosta Mesa, CA 92626
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Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments
Newport Senior Village Apartments
2080 Newport BlvdCosta Mesa, CA 92627
The Art of the Rental Viewing: What to look for during a property tour
Touring a rental? This guide helps you know exactly what to look for, from safety features to hidden flaws, so you can confidently sign your lease or keep searching.
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Smart Renter's Guide: Calculating Affordable Rent & Housing Costs
Wondering how to determine your rental budget? This comprehensive guide covers everything from the 30% rule to hidden fees and effective budgeting strategies.
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507 E Balboa Blvd
Newport BeachCA92661
Navigating the Rental Market: Tips for First-Time Renters
Entering the rental market? Learn these simple tips and strategies to avoid common pitfalls and make confident choices. Rent with peace of mind.
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from $1,4991 Bedroom Apartments Available Now
21372 Brookhurst St
21372 Brookhurst StHuntington Beach, CA 92646
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from $1,5991 Bedroom Apartments Available Now
21372 Brookhurst St
21372 Brookhurst StHuntington Beach, CA 92646
17200 Newhope St
Fountain ValleyCA92708
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from $1,934Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Now
Eight 80 Newport Beach
880 Irvine AveNewport Beach, CA 92663
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from $2,050Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Now
Palm Island 55+ Active Senior Community
11300 Warner AveFountain Valley, CA 92708
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from $2,1001 to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Now
3400 South Main Street
3400 S Main StSanta Ana, CA 92707
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Showing Results 1-48, Page 1 of 1
Costa Mesa, CA Local Guide
How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Costa Mesa?
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cheap Costa Mesa Studio Apartments | $2,740 | $1,500 | $6,900 |
| Cheap Costa Mesa 1 Bedroom Apartments | $3,200 | $1,499 | $10,000+ |
| Cheap Costa Mesa 2 Bedroom Apartments | $4,054 | $1,995 | $10,000+ |
| Cheap Costa Mesa 3 Bedroom Apartments | $6,570 | $3,095 | $10,000+ |
| Cheap Costa Mesa 4 Bedroom Apartments | $6,599 | $1,100 | $10,000+ |
Browse Top Apartments in Costa Mesa
See all Apartments in Costa MesaExplore Costa Mesa
Costa Mesa, CA Local Guide
Written By:
Staff Writer Local Guide Expert
- Costa Mesa Neighborhoods
- Nearby Cities
- ZIP codes
- Local Counties
- School Districts
Cheapest Neighborhoods for Apartments in Costa Mesa, CA
Pricing Updated: 06/14/2025Current apartment rentals in the Costa Mesa, CA area range in price from $1,100 to $12,996 with an overall median price of $7,980. The three Costa Mesa neighborhoods with the lowest median rent pricing are Bungalows at Bay Street at $1,946, Newport Heights at $3,550, and Orange County Airport at $1,999. Here is today’s list of the top 8 neighborhoods with the lowest median pricing for Costa Mesa Apartments for rent:
| Neighborhood | Median Price | Min Price | Available Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bungalows at Bay Street | $3,495 | $1,946 | 78 |
| Newport Heights | $3,550 | $3,550 | 1 |
| Orange County Airport | $6,800 | $1,999 | 419 |
| College Park | $10,000 | $1,500 | 85 |
| Cornerstone | $10,000 | $1,500 | 81 |
| Downtown Costa Mesa | $10,000 | $1,650 | 96 |
| East Side Costa Mesa | $10,000 | $1,500 | 157 |
| Westside Costa Mesa | $10,000 | $1,100 | 312 |
Cheapest Available Costa Mesa Apartments for Rent
The cheapest available apartment rental in Costa Mesa, CA is a Studio unit found at Costa Mirage in the Cornerstone neighborhood priced from $1,875. Eight 80 Newport Beach in the Upper Newport Bay neighborhood has the second lowest priced unit, which is a Studio apartment currently listed from $1,964. Here is today’s list of the most affordable Costa Mesa apartments for rent:
| Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Priced From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Costa Mirage | Studio | Studio,1BA | $1,875 |
| Eight 80 Newport Beach | Balboa (E1A-N) | Studio,1BA | $1,964 |
| Westbay Apartments | Studio | Studio,1BA | $1,975 |
| Casa Victoria Apartments | 1BR/1BA | 1BR,1BA | $1,995 |
| Harbor Village Apartments | Plan A | Studio,1BA | $1,995 |
| Newport Village Apartments | Junior 1 Bedroom | Studio,1BA | $1,999 |
| Apex Apartments | Studio XS | Studio,1BA | $2,000 |
| Harbor at Mesa Verde | Plan E1B | Studio,1BA | $2,021 |
| Monte Sereno Apartments | 1b/1b | 1BR,1BA | $2,095 |
| 3400 South Main Street | One Bedroom One Bath | 1BR,1BA | $2,100 |
Best Value Apartments for Rent in Costa Mesa, CA
As of June 14, 2025 the best value apartment in the Costa Mesa area is the $2.68 price per square foot 3x2 Townhouse Model at South Coast Fountains in the in the Westside Costa Mesa neighborhood starting from $4,295. The second greatest value Costa Mesa apartment is the The Lavender Garden-2 BR, 2 BA- Balcony Model at Villa Marseilles Apartments starting at $3,300 with a $2.75 price per square foot in the Westside Costa Mesa neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Costa Mesa apartments based on price per square foot:
| Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Price Per Sq.Ft. |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Coast Fountains | 3x2 Townhouse | 3BR,2BA | $2.68 |
| Villa Marseilles Apartments | The Lavender Garden-2 BR, 2 BA- Balcony | 2BR,2BA | $2.75 |
| Fairway Villas Apartment Homes | 2 Bedroom | 2BR,2BA | $2.75 |
| 1002 Mission Dr, Unit D | 1002 Mission Dr | 2BR,1.5BA | $2.46 |
| 3400 South Main Street | Two Bedroom Two Bath | 2BR,2BA | $2.48 |
| Huntington Vista | Andorra | 2BR,2BA | $2.49 |
| Sea Environment Apartments | 2x1 | 2BR,1BA | $2.47 |
| Valley Park | 2 Bed 1.5 Bath | 2BR,1.5BA | $2.54 |
| Palm Island 55+ Active Senior Community | Dominique | 2BR,2BA | $2.75 |
| Casa Victoria Apartments | 1 B With Patio | 1BR,1BA | $2.83 |
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Costa Mesa Overview
Costa Mesa is the heartbeat of Orange County in many ways, just an arm's stretch to first-class shopping, dining, colleges and beaches, as well as minutes from renowned cultural arts venues and hundreds of major employers. Apartment living in Costa Mesa means quick and easy freeway access to the entire SoCal lifestyle!
Why live in Costa Mesa, CA?
Costa Mesa apartments put you right in the center of the OC, within about 15 minutes of everything – rather than 30 minutes or more. Exits off the 405 give direct access to the world-famous coastlines of Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach and Newport Beach for surfing, bonfires, rollerblading and pier fishing. Costa Mesa itself has 28 parks and two municipal golf courses, so you can easily hop a bus for some local outdoor fun. Shopping is a major thing, with more than 250 boutiques and restaurants at South Coast Plaza, and some interesting indie shops at The Lab, The Camp and the SoCo Collection.
Pet Friendly LifestyleCosta Mesa, CA
Ranked #75
Among cities in California for Apartment listings with Pet Friendly Amenities
Pet Friendliness Lifestyle Score
2.5Pet Friendly
Best Local Schools in Costa Mesa, CA
Maude B. Davis Elementary
Newport-Mesa Unified School District
Public School - Grades K-6 (545)
8 out of 10
Charles W. Tewinkle Middle
Newport-Mesa Unified School District
Public School - Grades 7-8 (506)
6 out of 10
School data provided by Great Schools
Remember the 3 Rules of Real Estate:Location, Location, Location!
Explore Costa Mesa, CA Rentals by Map
See the most popular apartments and homes in Costa Mesa, CA
Costa Mesa, CA Apartments MapCosta Mesa, CA Rental Homes MapGetting Around Costa Mesa, CA
Walk Score®
73 / 100
Very Walkable
Most errands can be accomplished on foot
Bike Score®
66 / 100
Bikeable
Some bike infrastructure
Transit Score®
38 / 100
Some Transit
A few nearby public transportation options
What Are Walk Score®, Transit Score®, and Bike Score® Ratings?
- Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address.
- Transit Score® measures access to public transit.
- Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Costa Mesa Apartments
What is a cheap apartment in Costa Mesa?
A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in Costa Mesa is under $2,100.
What is the price of a cheap apartment in Costa Mesa?
The cheapest apartment in Costa Mesa is Casa Victoria Apartments which is listed at $1,995, while the average apartment in Costa Mesa costs $7,980.
What types of apartments are the cheapest in Costa Mesa?
Student, low-income, and by-the-bed apartments are typically the cheapest rentals in most cities, though they require qualifying criteria to rent. There are 24 regular apartments in Costa Mesa that we think qualify as ‘cheap apartments’ that do not have special requirements to apply to rent.
How do the prices of cheap apartments compare to the average apartment in Costa Mesa?
Cheap apartments in Costa Mesa have an average cost of $133 which is $7,847 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in Costa Mesa.
Expert Rental Resources
Helpful Apartment Articles, How-To's and Tips
The rental experts at ApartmentHomeLiving.com provide you with top advice, tools, and tips for understanding the leasing process and finding the perfect rental. Here are a few helpful rental and leasing articles from our experts to guide you on your search.
Roommate Matching: Finding the Right Fit and Avoiding Pitfalls
Written by: Cheryl Bowman
A fantastic way to save money and enjoy a built-in community is to share an apartment. However, a bad roommate situation can turn your dream rental into a nightmare.
The Art of the Rental Viewing: What to look for during a property tour
Written by: Marie Brown
You’ve scrolled through countless listings, walked through a blur of rentals, and finally found what feels like the one. The pictures? Fantastic. The neighborhood seems just right.
Know Your Budget: Calculating What You Can Realistically Afford When Renting
Written by: Lauren Harrington
Renting an apartment or house isn’t just about looking through online ads, choosing a few apartments or homes you want to tour, filling out an application, and putting down a deposit. Those things are all necessary and important.
The Freedom of Short-Term Leases: Exploring the Advantages for Renters
Written by: Bobbi Jackson
If you’re looking to relocate right now, a popular solution that may best fit your current rental needs is a short-term lease.