Cheap Apartments for Rent in Costa Mesa, CA from $1,628 (148 Rentals)

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

property at 870 W 19th St
$1,300

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent$1,300
Total Monthly Price$1,300
1 Bedroom, 1 Bath Home for Rent
Available Now
Furnished

870 W 19th St

Costa MesaCA92627
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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

Base Rent$2,200 - $3,000
Total Monthly Price$2,200 - $3,000
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Sep 9

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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property at 279 E 20th St
$2,250

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent$2,250
Total Monthly Price$2,250
Studio, 1 Bath Home for Rent
Available Oct 1
Furnished

279 E 20th St

Costa MesaCA92627
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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
  • 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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Bay Village Apartments
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Bay Village Apartments

409 W Bay StCosta Mesa, CA 92627
  • Utilities Included
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Pine Tree Villa
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Pine Tree Villa

114 E 20th StCosta Mesa, CA 92627
  • Utilities Included
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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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Sea Wind Apartments
2 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Sea Wind Apartments

398 Wilson StCosta Mesa, CA 92626
  • 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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Written By:
Staff Writer
Local Guide Expert

Cheapest Neighborhoods for Apartments in Costa Mesa, CA

Pricing Updated: 09/05/2026

Current apartment rentals in the Costa Mesa, CA area range in price from $1,628 to $15,135 with an overall median price of $3,019. The three Costa Mesa neighborhoods with the lowest median rent pricing are Downtown Costa Mesa at $2,528, College Park at $2,703, and Cornerstone at $2,740. 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
Downtown Costa Mesa$2,528$1,62855
College Park$2,703$1,62856
Cornerstone$2,740$1,62866
East Side Costa Mesa$2,750$1,628122
Bungalows at Bay Street$2,817$1,85030
Westside Costa Mesa$2,905$1,628224
Orange County Airport$3,490$1,850265
Newport Heights$4,025$3,3503

Cheapest Available Costa Mesa Apartments for Rent

 

The cheapest available apartment rental in Costa Mesa, CA is a Studio unit found at Mesa Vista Apartments in the Cornerstone neighborhood priced from $1,628. Ponderosa Mobile Estates in the College Park neighborhood has the second lowest priced unit, which is a 1 Bed apartment currently listed from $1,750. Here is today’s list of the most affordable Costa Mesa apartments for rent:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
Mesa Vista ApartmentsStudio 331Studio,1BA$1,628
Ponderosa Mobile Estates1 Bedroom + Office1BR,1BA$1,750
Bristol28311BR/1.0BA1BR,1BA$1,895
Eight 80 Newport BeachBalboa (E1A-N)Studio,1BA$1,974
135 & 137 Broadway0BR/1.0BAStudio,1BA$2,050
Harbor at Mesa VerdePlan E1BStudio,1BA$2,075
La Casa Blanca1BR/1.0BA1BR,1BA$2,095
Huntington VistaCordoba1BR,1BA$2,110
Park Center Place ApartmentsPlan 11BR,1BA$2,125
Apex Apartment HomesOne bedroom / One bath Small1BR,1BA$2,150

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Costa Mesa, CA

As of September 05, 2026 the best value apartment in the Costa Mesa area is the $2.55 price per square foot 22CMS Model at Axis 2300 Apartments in the in the UC Irvine neighborhood starting from $4,160. The second greatest value Costa Mesa apartment is the The Kingston Model at Wimbledon Glen starting at $3,760 with a $2.88 price per square foot in the Costa Mesa 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.
Axis 2300 Apartments22CMS2BR,2.5BA$2.55
Wimbledon GlenThe Kingston2BR,2.5BA$2.88
Valley ParkPlan 2B Townhome2BR,1.5BA$2.45
Westbay Apartments2 Bedroom2BR,1BA$2.46
Mediterranean Village Costa MesaPlan E1BR,1.5BA$2.81
Villa Marseilles ApartmentsThe Parisian-1 BR, 1 BA- Balcony1BR,1BA$2.55
rosewood25022BR/1.0BA2BR,1BA$2.55
Sea Environment Apartments1x11BR,1BA$2.68
3400 South Main StreetOne Bedroom One Bath1BR,1BA$2.66
La Casa Blanca1BR/1.0BA1BR,1BA$2.79

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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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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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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How much rent can you afford?

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 $2,150.

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

The cheapest apartment in Costa Mesa is Ponderosa Mobile Estates which is listed at $1,750, while the average apartment in Costa Mesa costs $3,019.

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 78 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 $634 which is $2,385 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

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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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Exploring Rental Options: Apartments, Townhomes, and Lofts - Oh My!

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Where do you see yourself? When you think of home, sweet home, are you in a 3/2 apartment? Dreaming of a tall townhome? Maybe an industrial loft heavy on cool vibes is on your visioning board.

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Practical Tips for Renters: How to Identify a Great Rental and Avoid Red Flags

Written by: Robin Stewart

Renters want to find a great apartment, the right place for them, one that checks all the boxes of location, rental cost, amenities, safety, and more.

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First Apartment Regrets: Real Renters Share What They'd Do Differently

Written by: Robin Stewart

Hindsight is 20/20. Live and Learn. With age comes wisdom. We’re familiar with all those expressions, and all of them apply to lessons first-time renters learn.