
Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Downtown Costa Mesa Neighborhood of Costa Mesa, CA from $1,000 (20 Rentals)
Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in the Downtown Costa Mesa area of Costa Mesa.


Ponderosa Mobile Estates

Westlake Village

Westbay Apartments
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Newport Senior Village Apartments
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Eight 80 Newport Beach
Downtown Costa Mesa, Costa Mesa, CA Local Guide

How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Downtown Costa Mesa?
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown Costa Mesa Studio Apartments | $2,098 | $1,766 | $3,000 |
| Downtown Costa Mesa 1 Bedroom Apartments | $2,438 | $1,900 | $4,000 |
| Downtown Costa Mesa 2 Bedroom Apartments | $3,218 | $2,450 | $10,000+ |
| Downtown Costa Mesa 3 Bedroom Apartments | $4,521 | $3,500 | $6,195 |
Browse Apartments in this Neighborhood
There are currently 20 rentals with your search options within a 2 mile radius of the Downtown Costa Mesa Neighborhood of Costa Mesa, CA.
See all Apartments in Costa MesaExplore Costa Mesa
Downtown Costa Mesa, Costa Mesa, CA Local Guide
- Nearby Costa Mesa neighborhoods
- Nearby Cities
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- Local Counties
- School Districts
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 Eight 80 Newport Beach priced from $1,766. Costa Mirage has the second lowest priced unit, which is a Studio apartment currently listed from $1,875. Here are the most affordable Downtown Costa Mesa apartments for rent in Costa Mesa, CA:
| Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Priced From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eight 80 Newport Beach | Balboa (E1A-N) | Studio,1BA | $1,766 |
| Costa Mirage | Studio | Studio,1BA | $1,875 |
| Ponderosa Mobile Estates | 1 Bedroom + Office | 1BR,1BA | $1,900 |
| Westbay Apartments | Studio | Studio,1BA | $1,975 |
| Wallace Court Apartments | The Avon | 1BR,1BA | $2,111 |
Best Value Apartments for Rent in Downtown Costa Mesa, CA
As of December 15, 2025 the best value apartment in the Downtown Costa Mesa area is the $3.41 price per square foot 3 Bedroom Model at Costa Mesa Family Village in the in the Southeast Huntington Beach neighborhood starting from $3,731. The second greatest value Downtown Costa Mesa apartment is the 1214 Rutland Rd Model at 1214 Rutland Rd, Unit 1 starting at $3,800 with a $3.50 price per square foot in the Upper Newport Bay neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Downtown Costa Mesa apartments based on price per square foot:
| Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Price Per Sq.Ft. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Costa Mesa Family Village | 3 Bedroom | 3BR,2BA | $3.41 |
| 1214 Rutland Rd, Unit 1 | 1214 Rutland Rd | 2BR,2BA | $3.50 |
| Villa Nova Townhomes | Townhome | 2BR,2.5BA | $2.89 |
| Olive Tree | Two Bedroom 1.5 Baths | 2BR,1.5BA | $2.94 |
| Sandpointe Cove Apartment Homes | Plan C | 2BR,1.5BA | $3.26 |
| Westbay Eldon Apartments | 1BR/1BA | 1BR,1BA | $3.02 |
| Westlake Village | Laguna | 1BR,1BA | $3.30 |
| Casa Victoria Apartments | 1 B With Patio | 1BR,1BA | $3.00 |
| Wallace Court Apartments | The Avon | 1BR,1BA | $3.25 |
| Leeward Apartments | 1 Bed 1 Bath | 1BR,1BA | $3.41 |
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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Read ArticleQuick 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.
Pet Friendly LifestyleDowntown Costa Mesa, Costa Mesa, CA
Ranked #4
Among cities in California for Apartment listings with Pet Friendly Amenities.
Pet Friendliness Lifestyle Score
4.0Pet Friendly
Best Local Schools in Downtown Costa Mesa, Costa Mesa, CA
Newport Heights Elementary
Newport Harbor High
Horace Ensign Intermediate
School data provided by Great Schools
Getting Around the Downtown Costa Mesa Neighborhood in Costa Mesa, CA
Walk Score®
87 / 100
Very Walkable
Most errands can be accomplished on foot
Bike Score®
69 / 100
Bikeable
Some bike infrastructure
Transit Score®
40 / 100
Some Transit
A few nearby public transportation options
What Are Walk Score®, Transit Score®, and Bike Score® Ratings?
- Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address.
- Transit Score® measures access to public transit.
- Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
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 $2,150.
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 $10,000.
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 5 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

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.

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.

How to Negotiate Your Apartment Lease and Save Money
Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.
Everything is a negotiation in real estate!

The Rental Move-In Inspection Checklist: A Guide for Renters
Written by: Trey Huguley
The move-in inspection checklist is a crucial tool for both tenants and landlords. This checklist, provided by the team at ApartmentHomeLiving.com, helps document the condition of an apartment at the time of move-in.













