
Cheap Homes for Rent in Costa Mesa, CA from $975 (15 Rentals)
Search the lowest-cost Homes available for rent right now in Costa Mesa.


870 W 19th St

1001 W Stevens Ave, Unit 406-1B

9732 Pettswood Dr

362 Ralcam Pl
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.

2538 W California St

1040 W MacArthur Blvd

1000 W MacArthur Blvd

279 E 20th St

17200 Newhope St, Unit 27 B
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.

17200 Newhope St, Unit 27 B

3500 S Greenville St

Furnished Studio-Orange County - John Wayne Airport

3237 Watermarke Pl

1978 Maple Ave
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.
Costa Mesa, CA Local Guide

How much does it cost to rent a home in Costa Mesa?
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Costa Mesa 2 Bedroom Homes for Rent | $4,420 | $2,750 | $10,000+ |
| Costa Mesa 3 Bedroom Homes for Rent | $6,178 | $1,400 | $10,000+ |
| Costa Mesa 4 Bedroom Homes for Rent | $10,176 | $4,195 | $10,000+ |
| Costa Mesa 5 Bedroom Homes for Rent | $22,000 | $10,000 | $10,000+ |
Browse Top Homes for Rent in Costa Mesa
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Costa Mesa, CA Local Guide
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Cheapest Neighborhoods for Apartments in Costa Mesa, CA
Pricing Updated: 09/09/2026Current apartment rentals in the Costa Mesa, CA area range in price from $1,628 to $15,135 with an overall median price of $3,029. The three Costa Mesa neighborhoods with the lowest median rent pricing are Downtown Costa Mesa at $2,485, College Park at $2,687, and Cornerstone at $2,730. Here is today’s list of the top 8 neighborhoods with the lowest median pricing for Costa Mesa Apartments for rent:
| Neighborhood | Median Price | Min Price | Available Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown Costa Mesa | $2,485 | $1,628 | 55 |
| College Park | $2,687 | $1,628 | 58 |
| Cornerstone | $2,730 | $1,628 | 70 |
| East Side Costa Mesa | $2,815 | $1,628 | 124 |
| Bungalows at Bay Street | $2,832 | $1,850 | 31 |
| Westside Costa Mesa | $2,950 | $1,628 | 225 |
| Orange County Airport | $3,490 | $1,850 | 260 |
| Newport Heights | $4,062 | $3,400 | 1 |
Cheapest Available Costa Mesa Apartments for Rent
 The cheapest available apartment rental in Costa Mesa, CA is a Studio unit found at Mesa Vista Apartments in the Cornerstone neighborhood priced from $1,628. Ponderosa Mobile Estates in the College Park neighborhood has the second lowest priced unit, which is a 1 Bed apartment currently listed from $1,750. Here is today’s list of the most affordable Costa Mesa apartments for rent:
| 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 | $1,936 |
| The Hamilton Apartments | Studio | Studio,1BA | $1,950 |
Best Value Apartments for Rent in Costa Mesa, CA
As of September 09, 2026 the best value apartment in the Costa Mesa area is the $2.56 price per square foot Plan 2B Townhome Model at Valley Park in the in the Fountain Valley neighborhood starting from $2,979. The second greatest value Costa Mesa apartment is the 2 Bedroom Model at Westbay Apartments starting at $2,695 with a $2.46 price per square foot in the Southeast Huntington Beach neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Costa Mesa apartments based on price per square foot:
| Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Price Per Sq.Ft. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valley Park | Plan 2B Townhome | 2BR,1.5BA | $2.56 |
| Westbay Apartments | 2 Bedroom | 2BR,1BA | $2.46 |
| 409 Sunflower Ave, Unit B | 409 Sunflower Ave | 2BR,2BA | $2.70 |
| Pinecreek Apartments | The Arrowhead | 2BR,1.5BA | $2.88 |
| Villa Marseilles Apartments | The Parisian-1 BR, 1 BA- Balcony | 1BR,1BA | $2.55 |
| rosewood2502 | 2BR/1.0BA | 2BR,1BA | $2.55 |
| Sea Environment Apartments | 1x1 | 1BR,1BA | $2.68 |
| 3400 South Main Street | One Bedroom One Bath | 1BR,1BA | $2.66 |
| La Casa Blanca | 1BR/1.0BA | 1BR,1BA | $2.79 |
| Bristol2831 | 1BR/1.0BA | 1BR,1BA | $2.92 |
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.
Read ArticleNavigating 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.
Read ArticleReal 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.
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.
Best Local Schools in Costa Mesa, CA
Maude B. Davis Elementary
Estancia High School
Charles W. Tewinkle Middle
School data provided by Great Schools
Remember the 3 Rules of Real Estate:Location, Location, Location!
Explore Costa Mesa, CA Rentals by Map
See the most popular apartments and homes in Costa Mesa, CA
Frequently Asked Questions about Costa Mesa
What type of rentals are currently available in Costa Mesa?
There are currently 1455 Apartments for Rent in Costa Mesa, CA with pricing that ranges from $1,628 to $20,000. There are also 96 Single Family Homes for rent, Condos, and Townhome rentals currently available in Costa Mesa ranging from $975 to $30,000.
What is the current price range for Rental Homes in Costa Mesa?
Today's rental pricing for Homes for Rent, Condos and Townhomes in Costa Mesa ranges from $975 to $30,000 with an average monthly rent of $6,209.
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.