Cheap Apartments for Rent in Costa Mesa, CA from $1,000 (61 Rentals)

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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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Wallace Apartments
1 Bedroom Apartments

Wallace Apartments

1915 Wallace AveCosta Mesa, CA 92627
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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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Bay Village Apartments
Studio 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 East 18th
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

145 East 18th

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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Sea Wind II Apartments
2 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Sea Wind II Apartments

398 Wilson StCosta Mesa, CA 92626
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The Arbors
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

The Arbors

140 W Wilson StCosta 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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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 Street
Studio to 3 Bedroom Apartments

994 Valencia Street

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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Monte Sereno Apartments
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Monte Sereno Apartments

1800 Wallace AveCosta Mesa, CA 92627
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La Mancha Apartments
1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

La Mancha Apartments

778 Scott PlCosta Mesa, CA 92627
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St. John's Manor
1 Bedroom Apartments

St. John's Manor

2031 Orange AveCosta Mesa, CA 92627
Senior Living
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Sea Wind Apartments
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Sea Wind Apartments

2250 Vanguard WayCosta Mesa, CA 92626
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La Casa Blanca
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

La Casa Blanca

2115 Placentia AveCosta Mesa, CA 92627

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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Costa Mesa, CA Local Guide

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Local Guide Expert

Cheapest Neighborhoods for Apartments in Costa Mesa, CA

Pricing Updated: 01/22/2026

Current apartment rentals in the Costa Mesa, CA area range in price from $1,300 to $10,500 with an overall median price of $8,262. The three Costa Mesa neighborhoods with the lowest median rent pricing are Bungalows at Bay Street at $1,995, Orange County Airport at $1,995, and College Park at $1,300. Here is today’s list of the top 7 neighborhoods with the lowest median pricing for Costa Mesa Apartments for rent:

NeighborhoodMedian PriceMin PriceAvailable Units
Bungalows at Bay Street$3,640$1,99537
Orange County Airport$4,200$1,995523
College Park$10,000$1,30095
Cornerstone$10,000$1,300103
Downtown Costa Mesa$10,000$1,86665
East Side Costa Mesa$10,000$1,300194
Westside Costa Mesa$10,000$1,300383

Cheapest Available Costa Mesa Apartments for Rent

 

The cheapest available apartment rental in Costa Mesa, CA is a 1 Bed unit found at Palm Island 55+ Active Senior Community in the Little Saigon neighborhood priced from $1,899. Ponderosa Mobile Estates in the College Park neighborhood has the second lowest priced unit, which is a 1 Bed apartment currently listed from $1,900. Here is today’s list of the most affordable Costa Mesa apartments for rent:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
Palm Island 55+ Active Senior CommunityBermuda1BR,1BA$1,899
Ponderosa Mobile Estates1 Bedroom + Office1BR,1BA$1,900
Eight 80 Newport BeachBalboa (E1A-N)Studio,1BA$1,905
Westbay ApartmentsStudioStudio,1BA$1,975
Villa Marseilles ApartmentsThe Versailles- 1 BD, 1 BA1BR,1BA$1,995
Harbor at Mesa VerdePlan E1BStudio,1BA$2,088
Bay BreezeThe Catalina1BR,1BA$2,111
Casa Victoria Apartments1BR/1BA1BR,1BA$2,115
Versailles on the Lake ApartmentsAlsaceStudio,1BA$2,122

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Costa Mesa, CA

As of January 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 Plan 2D Model at Pinnacle at MacArthur Place starting at $3,299 with a $2.50 price per square foot in the Valley Adams 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
Pinnacle at MacArthur PlacePlan 2D2BR,2BA$2.50
Huntington VistaBarcelona2BR,2BA$2.72
AtWater CoveThe Starboard2BR,2BA$2.78
Valley ParkPlan 2A2BR,1.5BA$2.57
9842 Hamilton Ave.2 Bed 2 Bath2BR,2BA$2.69
La Paz Apartments2 Bedroom 1 Bath2BR,1BA$2.79
The Monrovia Apartment Homes2 Bed 1 Bath2BR,1BA$2.76
Villa Marseilles ApartmentsThe Versailles- 1 BD, 1 BA1BR,1BA$2.22
3400 South Main StreetOne Bedroom One Bath1BR,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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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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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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See the most popular apartments and homes in Costa Mesa, CA

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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 $2,122.

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

The cheapest apartment in Costa Mesa is Palm Island 55+ Active Senior Community which is listed at $1,899, while the average apartment in Costa Mesa costs $8,262.

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 112 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 $556 which is $7,706 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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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.

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A Renters Guide for Tips on Writing Your Notice for Not Renewing Your Apartment

Written by: Bob Mallory

Packing up everything you own to move is so stressful for many that ending your apartment lease can feel like a small or unimportant task. Ending your lease involves more than simply turning over your keys on the last day.

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Renting with Roommates: Realistic Expectations for Shared Lease

Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.

Given the high costs for housing, I have found that many people are looking for a roommate to share expenses. These arrangements can increase opportunities for more desirable and larger spaces.

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Apartment Common Area Rules: What Renters Need to Know

Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.

Back in the day when I rented one of my first apartments, the property didn’t even have laundry in the building. Now, rental properties are often competing against each other to provide the best amenities.