Cheap Apartments for Rent in Costa Mesa, CA from $1,000 (140 Rentals)

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Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in Costa Mesa.

Rent According to Income: A Look at Income-Restricted Rentals

Find income-restricted rentals and housing subsidies. Explore government programs designed to help low-income families secure stable, affordable housing.

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Pinecreek Apartments
$2,200 - $3,000
Total Monthly Price

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Base Rent
$2,200 - $3,000
Total Monthly Price
$2,200 - $3,000
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

Pinecreek Apartments

2300 Fairview RdCosta Mesa, CA 92626
Corporate Housing
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  • Utilities Included

Renters Insurance 101: What It Is, What It Covers, and Why You Need It

From theft to fire to water damage, the unexpected can happen to any renter. Discover why renters insurance is one of the smartest and most affordable investments you can make as a tenant.

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How I Find the Perfect Rental for My Clients: A Real Estate Pro's Guide

Finding the right apartment starts with three things: location, cost, and amenities. Get the insider perspective from a real estate professional on how to nail all three.

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Wallace Apartments
1 Bedroom Apartments

Wallace Apartments

1915 Wallace AveCosta Mesa, CA 92627
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Bay Village Apartments
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Bay Village Apartments

409 W Bay StCosta Mesa, CA 92627
  • Utilities Included

What Does “Rent Burdened” Mean? How Much Rent Is Too Much

Learn the official definition (spending 30% or more of your gross income on housing) and how to calculate your exact rent-to-income ratio. This guide offers expert tips on factoring in total housing costs (including utilities and fees) and budgeting accurately to avoid unnecessary financial strain.

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Pine Tree Villa
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Pine Tree Villa

114 E 20th StCosta Mesa, CA 92627
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145 E 18th St
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

145 E 18th St

145 E 18th StCosta Mesa, CA 92627
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Trio Apartment Homes
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Trio Apartment Homes

879, 887-897 Center StCosta Mesa, CA 92627
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The Arbors
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

The Arbors

140 W Wilson StCosta Mesa, CA 92627
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Sea Wind Apartments
2 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Sea Wind Apartments

398 Wilson StCosta Mesa, CA 92626
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Sus Casitas
Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments

Sus Casitas

2110 Newport BlvdCosta Mesa, CA 92627
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Sundance West
1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Sundance West

1990-2002 Maple AveCosta Mesa, CA 92627
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Newport Village Apartments
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Newport Village Apartments

635 W Baker StCosta Mesa, CA 92626
Corporate Housing
  • Utilities Included

Your Guide to Co-Signers: The Risks, Rewards, and Everything in Between

Thinking about getting a co-signer for your rental application? We break down what a co-signer is, the potential benefits, and the serious risks for both parties. Find out if it's the right choice for you.

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Costa Mesa, CA Local Guide

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Local Guide Expert

Cheapest Neighborhoods for Apartments in Costa Mesa, CA

Pricing Updated: 07/22/2026

Current apartment rentals in the Costa Mesa, CA area range in price from $1,500 to $12,077 with an overall median price of $4,191. The three Costa Mesa neighborhoods with the lowest median rent pricing are Bungalows at Bay Street at $1,945, Cornerstone at $1,500, and Newport Heights at $3,300. Here is today’s list of the top 8 neighborhoods with the lowest median pricing for Costa Mesa Apartments for rent:

NeighborhoodMedian PriceMin PriceAvailable Units
Bungalows at Bay Street$3,776$1,94530
Cornerstone$3,900$1,50077
Newport Heights$3,975$3,3004
College Park$4,221$1,50068
Downtown Costa Mesa$4,242$1,62853
East Side Costa Mesa$4,253$1,500131
Westside Costa Mesa$4,267$1,500265
Orange County Airport$4,897$1,508287

Cheapest Available Costa Mesa Apartments for Rent

 

The cheapest available apartment rental in Costa Mesa, CA is a Studio unit found at Apex Apartment Homes in the Cornerstone neighborhood priced from $1,500. Parc Derian in the Westpark neighborhood has the second lowest priced unit, which is a 1 Bed apartment currently listed from $1,508. Here is today’s list of the most affordable Costa Mesa apartments for rent:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
Apex Apartment HomesStudio XSStudio,1BA$1,500
Parc DerianVeterans Only Waitlist1BR,1BA$1,508
Mesa Vista ApartmentsStudio 456Studio,1BA$1,628
Costa MirageStudioStudio,1BA$1,800
Casa Pacifica Senior Apartment Homes1 Bedroom1BR,1BA$1,895
Ponderosa Mobile Estates1 Bedroom + Office1BR,1BA$1,900
Harbor at Mesa VerdePlan E1BStudio,1BA$1,945
Pacific ParkPlan B1BR,1BA$2,000
27 Seventy Five Mesa VerdeE1-RStudio,1BA$2,089
Harbor Village ApartmentsPlan AStudio,1BA$2,095

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Costa Mesa, CA

As of July 22, 2026 the best value apartment in the Costa Mesa area is the $2.43 price per square foot 2BR/2.0BA Model at Charle2063 in the in the Cornerstone neighborhood starting from $3,395. The second greatest value Costa Mesa apartment is the 22AA Model at Axis 2300 Apartments starting at $3,795 with a $2.89 price per square foot in the UC Irvine neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Costa Mesa apartments based on price per square foot:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPrice Per Sq.Ft.
Charle20632BR/2.0BA2BR,2BA$2.43
Axis 2300 Apartments22AA2BR,2.5BA$2.89
South Coast Fountains2X2.5 Townhouse2BR,2.5BA$2.97
Valley ParkPlan 2A2BR,1.5BA$2.50
Pinecreek ApartmentsThe Arrowhead2BR,1.5BA$2.88
Park PacificPlan B2BR,1BA$2.89
The Monrovia Apartment Homes2 Bed 1 Bath2BR,1BA$2.92
Sea Environment Apartments1x11BR,1BA$2.68
3400 South Main StreetOne Bedroom One Bath1BR,1BA$2.66
The HavensPlan 1B1BR,1BA$2.98

Don't Settle: How to Negotiate Your Apartment Lease and Save Money

Discover the insider tips from an attorney and real estate agent on how to negotiate your next apartment lease. Find out what's on the table and what's not, so you can save money and get the best terms possible.

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Real Estate and Rental Term Glossary | ApartmentHomeLiving.com Renter University

From the letter A all the way to the letter Z, the Real Estate and Rental Term Glossary from the content team at ApartmentHomeLiving.com provides our visitors and shoppers with a little clarity and helpful guidance in navigating the real estate world through definitions and explainers for the top subjects and terms that someone may come across during the leasing, buying, or selling process.

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The common "Rule of Thumb" is that rent should be no more than 30% of your income. How much is that? Enter your monthly income and click "Calculate My Budget" to find out.

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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.

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Costa Mesa, CA

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Remember the 3 Rules of Real Estate:
Location, Location, Location!

Explore Costa Mesa, CA Rentals by Map

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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 $2,095.

What is the price of a cheap apartment in Costa Mesa?

The cheapest apartment in Costa Mesa is Parc Derian which is listed at $1,508, while the average apartment in Costa Mesa costs $4,191.

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 87 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 $633 which is $3,558 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in Costa Mesa.

Expert Rental Resources

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.

Articles, How-To's, and Tips

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Rent According to Income: A Look at Income-Restricted Rentals

Written by: Robin Stewart

The idea of affordable housing can be subjective. Every individual is in a different place financially and vocationally. What one may easily afford could be a struggle for someone else.

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Renters Insurance 101: What It Is, What It Covers, and Why You Need It

Written by: Robin Stewart

Insurance seems to be a part of life. In some states, having insurance is the law, as is the case for automobile insurance. Renters are no exception.

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Apartment Occupancy Rates: Renter Attraction vs Renter Retention

Written by: Robin Stewart

There’s a tenet in marketing about client or customer attraction and retention. Studies and data have consistently shown it costs less to keep a current customer than to attract a new one.

decorative image for How I Find the Perfect Rental for My Clients: A Real Estate Pro's Guide article

How I Find the Perfect Rental for My Clients: A Real Estate Pro's Guide

Written by: Robin Stewart

Evaluating rental properties for clients draws many parallels to house-hunting. Whether an apartment, loft, townhouse, or other rental, finding the right place means finding “home” for your client.