
Cheap Apartments for Rent in the East Side Costa Mesa Neighborhood of Costa Mesa, CA from $1,400 (105 Rentals)
Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in the East Side Costa Mesa area of Costa Mesa.


Ponderosa Mobile Estates

2872 La Salle Ave

Sundance West

Harbor at Mesa Verde

Pacific Villas

Harbor Village Apartments

Casa Victoria Apartments

Apex Apartment Homes

Costa Mirage
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.

Total Monthly Price
Pinecreek Apartments

AVA Newport

Westbay Eldon Apartments

279 E 20th St

The Grand Costa Mesa

AtWater Cove

The Parsons

Mediterranean Village Costa Mesa

Villa Siena

Baywind Apartment Homes
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.

South Pointe

Westside Apartments

Pinecreek Village Apartments

1978 Maple Ave

379 Hamilton St

Total Monthly Price
985 Valencia St, Unit 3

994 Valencia St

Olive Tree

Charle Square Apartments

Madison Newport Apartment Homes
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.

1995-1999 Maple St

121 E Bay St

2977 Mendoza Dr

Missions at Back Bay

Total Monthly Price
365 Hamilton St, Unit 2

Villa Nova Townhomes

Total Monthly Price
412 Esther St, Unit B

2040 Orange Ave

Lux Costa Mesa

Total Monthly Price
1765 Santa Ana Ave, Unit SI FL1-ID3487A
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.

Eastside Apartments

Eastside Haven at 17th

Total Monthly Price
1765 Santa Ana Ave, Unit SI FL1-ID10242A

Total Monthly Price
1765 Santa Ana Ave, Unit SI FL1-ID3459A

374 Hamilton St

119 23rd St

Bay Village Apartments

Albert Place Apartments

Newport Senior Village Apartments

Monticello West Apartments
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.
East Side Costa Mesa, Costa Mesa, CA Local Guide

How much does it cost to rent an apartment in East Side Costa Mesa?
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Side Costa Mesa Studio Apartments | $2,223 | $1,628 | $3,230 |
| East Side Costa Mesa 1 Bedroom Apartments | $2,706 | $1,750 | $3,930 |
| East Side Costa Mesa 2 Bedroom Apartments | $3,306 | $1,950 | $4,431 |
| East Side Costa Mesa 3 Bedroom Apartments | $4,252 | $2,595 | $6,180 |
| East Side Costa Mesa 4 Bedroom Apartments | $5,300 | $5,300 | $5,300 |
Browse Apartments in this Neighborhood
There are currently 105 rentals with your search options within a 2 mile radius of the East Side Costa Mesa Neighborhood of Costa Mesa, CA.
See all Apartments in Costa MesaExplore Costa Mesa
Cheapest Available East Side Costa Mesa Apartments for Rent
 The cheapest available apartment rental in the East Side 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 East Side Costa Mesa apartments for rent in Costa Mesa, CA:
| Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Priced From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mesa Vista Apartments | Studio 331 | Studio,1BA | $1,628 |
| Ponderosa Mobile Estates | 1 Bedroom + Office | 1BR,1BA | $1,750 |
| Bristol2831 | 1BR/1.0BA | 1BR,1BA | $1,895 |
| Eight 80 Newport Beach | Balboa (E1A-N) | Studio,1BA | $1,974 |
| 135 & 137 Broadway | 0BR/1.0BA | Studio,1BA | $2,050 |
| Harbor at Mesa Verde | Plan E1B | Studio,1BA | $2,075 |
| Park Center Place Apartments | Plan 1 | 1BR,1BA | $2,125 |
| Apex Apartment Homes | One bedroom / One bath Small | 1BR,1BA | $2,150 |
| Harbor Village Apartments | Plan B | 1BR,1BA | $2,195 |
| Westbay Eldon Apartments | 1BR/1BA | 1BR,1BA | $2,250 |
Best Value Apartments for Rent in East Side Costa Mesa, CA
As of September 06, 2026 the best value apartment in the East Side Costa Mesa area is the $3.12 price per square foot 3 Bedroom Model at Fairway Villas Apartment Homes in the in the Avenue One neighborhood starting from $4,371. The second greatest value East Side Costa Mesa apartment is the 3x2-1275 Model at Sea Pointe Villa starting at $3,999 with a $3.14 price per square foot in the Bungalows at Bay Street neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for East Side Costa Mesa apartments based on price per square foot:
| Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Price Per Sq.Ft. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fairway Villas Apartment Homes | 3 Bedroom | 3BR,2BA | $3.12 |
| Sea Pointe Villa | 3x2-1275 | 3BR,2BA | $3.14 |
| Baker Block | Plan B2 Loft | 3BR,2BA | $3.39 |
| Villa Siena | Newport | 3BR,2BA | $3.03 |
| AVOCADO | 2BR/2.5BA | 2BR,2.5BA | $3.40 |
| Villa Nova Townhomes | Townhome | 2BR,2.5BA | $3.10 |
| Westbay Eldon Apartments | 2BR/1BA | 2BR,1BA | $3.09 |
| Pacific Villas | 2+1 | 2BR,1BA | $3.09 |
| Newport Bay Terrace | 1 Bed / 1 Bath | 1BR,1BA | $3.46 |
| Bristol2831 | 1BR/1.0BA | 1BR,1BA | $2.92 |
Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap East Side Costa Mesa Apartments
What is a cheap apartment in East Side Costa Mesa?
A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in East Side Costa Mesa is under $2,250.
What is the price of a cheap apartment in East Side Costa Mesa?
The cheapest apartment in East Side Costa Mesa is Ponderosa Mobile Estates which is listed at $1,750, while the average apartment in East Side Costa Mesa costs $2,745.
What types of apartments are the cheapest in East Side 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 11 regular apartments in East Side 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 East Side Costa Mesa?
Cheap apartments in East Side Costa Mesa have an average cost of $608 which is $2,137 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in East Side 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

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.

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.

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.

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.