Cheap Apartments for Rent in Costa Mesa, CA from $1,000 (115 Rentals)

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

property at 301 Broadway

$1,089

Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$1,089
Total Monthly Price
$1,089

1 Bedroom, 1 Bath Home for Rent

Available Now

301 Broadway

Costa MesaCA92627

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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Pinecreek Apartments
Rent Specials
$2,150 - $2,850
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$2,150 - $2,850
Total Monthly Price
$2,150 - $2,850
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

Pinecreek Apartments

2300 Fairview RdCosta Mesa, CA 92626
Corporate Housing
  • Verified
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  • Utilities Included
property at 994 Valencia St

$2,195 - $4,395

1 To 3 Bedroom Rentals

Available Now

994 Valencia St

Costa MesaCA92626

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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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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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
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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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Sus Casitas
Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments

Sus Casitas

2110 Newport BlvdCosta 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

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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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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Sundance West
1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Sundance West

1990-2002 Maple AveCosta Mesa, CA 92627
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Pacific Park
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Pacific Park

1760 Pomona AveCosta Mesa, CA 92627
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Casa Serena Townhomes
2 Bedroom Apartments

Casa Serena Townhomes

2045 Wallace AveCosta Mesa, CA 92627
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994 Valencia St
Studio to 3 Bedroom Apartments

994 Valencia St

994 Valencia StCosta Mesa, CA 92626
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Orange Bungalows
2 Bedroom Apartments

Orange Bungalows

2666 Orange AveCosta Mesa, CA 92627

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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Costa Mesa, CA Local Guide

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Local Guide Expert

Cheapest Neighborhoods for Apartments in Costa Mesa, CA

Pricing Updated: 04/23/2026

Current apartment rentals in the Costa Mesa, CA area range in price from $1,300 to $11,893 with an overall median price of $7,766. The three Costa Mesa neighborhoods with the lowest median rent pricing are Bungalows at Bay Street at $1,907, Newport Heights at $3,195, and Orange County Airport at $2,088. 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$3,554$1,90761
Newport Heights$3,950$3,19514
Orange County Airport$4,626$2,088393
College Park$10,000$1,30075
Cornerstone$10,000$1,300106
Downtown Costa Mesa$10,000$1,48182
East Side Costa Mesa$10,000$1,300236
Westside Costa Mesa$10,000$1,300413

Cheapest Available Costa Mesa Apartments for Rent

 

The cheapest available apartment rental in Costa Mesa, CA is a Studio unit found at Mesa Vista Senior Apartments 55+ in the Cornerstone neighborhood priced from $1,481. Apex Apartments in the Cornerstone neighborhood has the second lowest priced unit, which is a Studio apartment currently listed from $1,600. Here is today’s list of the most affordable Costa Mesa apartments for rent:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
Mesa Vista Senior Apartments 55+StudioStudio,1BA$1,481
Apex ApartmentsStudio XSStudio,1BA$1,600
Eight 80 Newport BeachBalboa (E1A-N)Studio,1BA$1,679
Ponderosa Mobile Estates1 Bedroom + Office1BR,1BA$1,900
Harbor at Mesa VerdePlan E1BStudio,1BA$1,958
Westbay ApartmentsStudioStudio,1BA$1,995
Casa Pacifica Senior Apartment Homes1 Bedroom1BR,1BA$2,073
Parc DerianVeteran Unit3BR,2BA$2,088
Villa Marseilles ApartmentsThe Vineyard-1 BR, 1 BA1BR,1BA$2,095
Harbor Village ApartmentsPlan AStudio,1BA$2,095

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Costa Mesa, CA

As of April 23, 2026 the best value apartment in the Costa Mesa area is the $2.79 price per square foot Granada Model at Huntington Vista in the in the Southeast Huntington Beach neighborhood starting from $3,899. The second greatest value Costa Mesa apartment is the 22AA Model at Axis 2300 Apartments starting at $3,710 with a $2.83 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.
Huntington VistaGranada3BR,2.5BA$2.79
Axis 2300 Apartments22AA2BR,2.5BA$2.83
Parc DerianVeteran Unit3BR,2BA$1.72
Valley ParkPlan 2A2BR,1.5BA$2.37
9842 Hamilton Ave.2 Bed 1.5 Bath w/Patio Townhome2BR,1BA$2.69
South Coast Racquet Club2 Bed 2 Bath2BR,2BA$2.90
Pinecreek ApartmentsThe Arrowhead2BR,1.5BA$2.88
Olive TreeTwo Bedroom 1.5 Baths2BR,1.5BA$2.95
Sea Environment Apartments1x11BR,1BA$2.68
3400 South Main StreetOne Bedroom One Bath1BR,1BA$2.66

10 Hidden Costs of Renting You Should Budget for Before Signing a Lease

Avoid financial stress when renting. Learn about the 10 most common hidden costs—from pet fees to utilities—you must budget for before you sign a lease.

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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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The Ultimate Long-Distance Moving Checklist: Tips from a Real Estate Pro

Moving is tough, especially long-distance. Learn how to minimize stress & expenses with proven strategies from a real estate pro, covering everything from logistics to finances.

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Cash or credit? Understanding the Importance of Credit Score in Real Estate and Renting

Discover how your credit score impacts your ability to lease or buy a home. Learn how credit scores are determined, how to check yours, and strategies to improve it for real estate success.

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Quick Rent Budget Calculator

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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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 Ponderosa Mobile Estates which is listed at $1,900, while the average apartment in Costa Mesa costs $7,766.

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 45 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 $449 which is $7,317 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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Expert Solutions for Creating the Perfect Work-From-Home Apartment Layouts

Written by: Lauren Harrington

This article is based on first-hand experience managing apartment communities and helping renters adapt to their spaces after moving in.

decorative image for What Does “Rent Burdened” Mean? How Much Rent Is Too Much article

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

Written by: Lauren Harrington

This article draws from first-hand renter experiences and recurring financial challenges reported after moving in.

decorative image for Maximizing Your Refund: Essential Tax Tips for Renters article

Maximizing Your Refund: Essential Tax Tips for Renters

Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.

Other than tax professionals, I can’t think of anyone who looks forward to tax season. For everybody else, April is a stressful month to collect information and meet deadlines.

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18 Must-Ask Rental Tour Questions That Reveal the Truth about a Property

Written by: Lauren Harrington

Renting your next home can feel thrilling and overwhelming at the same time.