Apartments for Rent in the Downtown Costa Mesa Neighborhood of Costa Mesa, CA (669 Rentals)

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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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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
  • Smoke Free
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
  • Smoke Free

Neighborhood & Market Insights: How to Choose the Right Area to Rent

Master your search for the perfect apartment. Location is everything. Discover how to leverage community insights, public data, and personal visits to make a fully informed decision about where to rent.

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property at 273 Cecil Pl
$9,000

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent$9,000
Total Monthly Price$9,000
4 Bedroom, 3 Bath Home for Rent
Available Now

273 Cecil Pl

Costa MesaCA92627

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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property at 375 E 20th St
$4,500
3 Bedroom Rentals
Available Now

375 E 20th St

Costa MesaCA92627
property at 121 E Bay St
$2,850
2 Bedroom Rentals
Available Now

121 E Bay St

Costa MesaCA92627

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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Showing Results 1-50, Page 1 of 14

Downtown Costa Mesa, Costa Mesa, CA Local Guide

A Seasoned Property Manager's Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Your Deposit Back

Learn the property manager's true secrets to a zero-deduction move-out. Use this step-by-step guide on documentation, cleaning, and lease-reading to reclaim your security deposit.

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

Tour smarter and choose with confidence. Get the essential 18 questions that reveal the truth about a rental property's maintenance, utilities, and safety.

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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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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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Pet Friendly Lifestyle
Downtown Costa Mesa, Costa Mesa, CA

Ranked #5

Among cities in California for Apartment listings with Pet Friendly Amenities.

Pet Friendliness Lifestyle Score

4.0
Pet Friendly

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Best Local Schools in
Downtown Costa Mesa, Costa Mesa, CA

School data provided by Great Schools

Frequently Asked Questions about Downtown Costa Mesa

What is the current pricing and availability for apartments for rent in the Downtown Costa Mesa area of Costa Mesa, CA?

As of today, September 13, 2026, there are currently 669 available Downtown Costa Mesa apartments priced from $1,050 to $5,560, with an average monthly rent of $2,696.

How much are Studio apartments in Downtown Costa Mesa?

There are currently 266 Studio Apartments in Downtown Costa Mesa with rent ranges from $1,628 to $3,100 with an average price of $2,106.

What is the current price range for One Bedroom Downtown Costa Mesa Apartments for rent?

Today's rental pricing for One Bedroom Apartments in Downtown Costa Mesa ranges from $1,050 to $3,940 with an average monthly rent of $2,477.

What does renting a Two Bedroom Apartment in Downtown Costa Mesa cost?

The monthly rent prices of Two Bedroom Apartments currently available in Downtown Costa Mesa range from $1,950 to $4,800. Today's average rental price for Two Bedrooms here is $3,229.

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

Written by: Robin Stewart

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.

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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.