Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Downtown Costa Mesa Neighborhood of Costa Mesa, CA from $1,000 (80 Rentals)

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

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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property at 1519 Orange Ave

$2,650

Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$2,650
Total Monthly Price
$2,650

1 Bedroom, 1 Bath Home for Rent

Available Aug 15

1519 Orange Ave

Costa MesaCA92627

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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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
  • 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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Pine Tree Villa
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Pine Tree Villa

114 E 20th StCosta 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
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Sus Casitas
Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments

Sus Casitas

2110 Newport BlvdCosta 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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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

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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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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La Casa Blanca
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

La Casa Blanca

2115 Placentia 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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Coast Apartments
1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Coast Apartments

175-181 E 22nd StCosta Mesa, CA 92627
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584 Hamilton St
2 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

584 Hamilton St

584 Hamilton StCosta Mesa, CA 92627

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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Showing Results 1-50, Page 1 of 2

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 $1,900. Here are the most affordable Downtown Costa Mesa apartments for rent in Costa Mesa, CA:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
Mesa Vista ApartmentsStudio 456Studio,1BA$1,628
Ponderosa Mobile Estates1 Bedroom + Office1BR,1BA$1,900
Pacific ParkPlan B1BR,1BA$2,000
Eight 80 Newport BeachCatalina (A1A-N)1BR,1BA$2,093
Bay Timbers ApartmentsB2021BR,1BA$2,195
Westbay Eldon Apartments1BR/1BA1BR,1BA$2,250
The Hamilton Apartments1 Bedroom1BR,1BA$2,300
Beach House ApartmentsStudioStudio,1BA$2,395
Westlake VillageLaguna1BR,1BA$2,493
Westbay Apartments1 bd1BR,1BA$2,495

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Downtown Costa Mesa, CA

As of July 30, 2026 the best value apartment in the Downtown Costa Mesa area is the $3.45 price per square foot 3 Bedroom Model at Costa Mesa Family Village in the in the Southeast Huntington Beach neighborhood starting from $3,770. The second greatest value Downtown Costa Mesa apartment is the Townhome Model at Villa Nova Townhomes starting at $2,995 with a $3.10 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.
Costa Mesa Family Village3 Bedroom3BR,2BA$3.45
Villa Nova TownhomesTownhome2BR,2.5BA$3.10
The Monrovia Apartment Homes2 Bed 1 Bath2BR,1BA$2.90
Westbay Eldon Apartments2BR/1BA2BR,1BA$3.09
Sandpointe Cove Apartment HomesPlan C2BR,1.5BA$3.53
365 Hamilton St, Unit 3365 Hamilton St2BR,1.5BA$3.47
121 E Bay St2 Beds, 1 Baths2BR,1BA$3.62
Westlake VillageLaguna1BR,1BA$3.44
Bay Timbers ApartmentsB2021BR,1BA$3.14
Westbay Apartments1 bd1BR,1BA$3.56

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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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 #4

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 $2,495.

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 $1,900, while the average apartment in Downtown Costa Mesa costs $4,120.

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 13 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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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.

decorative image for Renters Insurance 101: What It Is, What It Covers, and Why You Need It article

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.

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Apartment Occupancy Rates: Renter Attraction vs Renter Retention

Written by: Robin Stewart

There’s a tenet in marketing about client or customer attraction and retention. Studies and data have consistently shown it costs less to keep a current customer than to attract a new one.