Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Downtown Costa Mesa Neighborhood of Costa Mesa, CA from $1,050 (36 Rentals)

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Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in the Downtown Costa Mesa area of 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
  • Smoke Free

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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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
  • 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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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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Sus Casitas
Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments

Sus Casitas

2110 Newport BlvdCosta 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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Pacifica Apartments
1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Pacifica Apartments

710 W 18th StCosta Mesa, CA 92627
  • Utilities Included

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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La Casa Blanca
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

La Casa Blanca

2115 Placentia 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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Leeward Apartments
1 Bedroom Apartments

Leeward Apartments

2020 Fullerton AveCosta Mesa, CA 92627
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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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Bedford Apartments
2 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Bedford Apartments

1731 Bedford LnNewport Beach, CA 92660

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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Showing Results 1-36, Page 1 of 1

Downtown Costa Mesa, Costa Mesa, CA Local Guide

Cheapest Available Downtown Costa Mesa Apartments for Rent

 

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

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
Mesa Vista ApartmentsStudio 331Studio,1BA$1,628
Ponderosa Mobile Estates1 Bedroom + Office1BR,1BA$1,750
Eight 80 Newport BeachBalboa (E1A-N)Studio,1BA$1,911
The Hamilton ApartmentsStudioStudio,1BA$1,950
135 & 137 Broadway0BR/1.0BAStudio,1BA$2,050
La Casa Blanca1BR/1.0BA1BR,1BA$2,125
Pacific ParkPlan B1BR,1BA$2,185
Bay BreezeThe Catalina1BR,1BA$2,191
Westbay Eldon Apartments1BR/1BA1BR,1BA$2,250
Ocean Crest NewportUpstairs 1bd/1ba1BR,1BA$2,545

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Downtown Costa Mesa, CA

As of September 13, 2026 the best value apartment in the Downtown Costa Mesa area is the $2.46 price per square foot 2 Bedroom Model at Westbay Apartments in the in the Southeast Huntington Beach neighborhood starting from $2,695. The second greatest value Downtown Costa Mesa apartment is the 2BR/2.5BA Model at AVOCADO starting at $3,395 with a $3.40 price per square foot in the Cornerstone neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Downtown Costa Mesa apartments based on price per square foot:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPrice Per Sq.Ft.
Westbay Apartments2 Bedroom2BR,1BA$2.46
AVOCADO2BR/2.5BA2BR,2.5BA$3.40
Villa Nova TownhomesTownhome2BR,2.5BA$3.10
Westlake VillageHuntington2BR,1.5BA$3.09
Westbay Eldon Apartments2BR/1BA2BR,1BA$3.09
Pacific Villas2+12BR,1BA$3.09
365 Hamilton St, Unit 2365 Hamilton St2BR,1.5BA$3.47
La Casa Blanca1BR/1.0BA1BR,1BA$2.83
Bay BreezeThe Catalina1BR,1BA$3.37
Ponderosa Mobile Estates1 Bedroom + Office1BR,1BA$3.50

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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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 Cheap Downtown Costa Mesa Apartments

What is a cheap apartment in Downtown Costa Mesa?

A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in Downtown Costa Mesa is under $2,545.

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

The cheapest apartment in Downtown Costa Mesa is Ponderosa Mobile Estates which is listed at $1,750, while the average apartment in Downtown Costa Mesa costs $2,487.

What types of apartments are the cheapest in Downtown 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 12 regular apartments in Downtown Costa Mesa that we think qualify as ‘cheap apartments’ that do not have special requirements to apply to rent.

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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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.

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

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.