Cheap Homes for Rent in Costa Mesa, CA from $975 (15 Rentals)

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Search the lowest-cost Homes available for rent right now in 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
Affordability

870 W 19th St

Costa MesaCA92627
  • Smoke Free
property at 1001 W Stevens Ave
$1,400

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent$1,400

Total Monthly Price$1,400
3 Bedroom, 2 Bath Condo for Rent
Available Now
Furnished

1001 W Stevens Ave, Unit 406-1B

1001 W Stevens Ave
Santa AnaCA92707
  • 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.

property at 279 E 20th St
$2,250

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent$2,250

Total Monthly Price$2,250
Studio, 1 Bath Home for Rent
Available Oct 1
Furnished

279 E 20th St

Costa MesaCA92627
  • Smoke Free

Renters Insurance 101: What It Is, What It Covers, and Why You Need It

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How I Find the Perfect Rental for My Clients: A Real Estate Pro's Guide

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Costa Mesa, CA Local Guide

Cheapest Neighborhoods for Apartments in Costa Mesa, CA

Pricing Updated: 09/09/2026

Current 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:

NeighborhoodMedian PriceMin PriceAvailable Units
Downtown Costa Mesa$2,485$1,62855
College Park$2,687$1,62858
Cornerstone$2,730$1,62870
East Side Costa Mesa$2,815$1,628124
Bungalows at Bay Street$2,832$1,85031
Westside Costa Mesa$2,950$1,628225
Orange County Airport$3,490$1,850260
Newport Heights$4,062$3,4001

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 ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
Mesa Vista ApartmentsStudio 331Studio,1BA$1,628
Ponderosa Mobile Estates1 Bedroom + Office1BR,1BA$1,750
Bristol28311BR/1.0BA1BR,1BA$1,895
Eight 80 Newport BeachBalboa (E1A-N)Studio,1BA$1,936
The Hamilton ApartmentsStudioStudio,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 ListingModel NameBed/BathPrice Per Sq.Ft.
Valley ParkPlan 2B Townhome2BR,1.5BA$2.56
Westbay Apartments2 Bedroom2BR,1BA$2.46
409 Sunflower Ave, Unit B409 Sunflower Ave2BR,2BA$2.70
Pinecreek ApartmentsThe Arrowhead2BR,1.5BA$2.88
Villa Marseilles ApartmentsThe Parisian-1 BR, 1 BA- Balcony1BR,1BA$2.55
rosewood25022BR/1.0BA2BR,1BA$2.55
Sea Environment Apartments1x11BR,1BA$2.68
3400 South Main StreetOne Bedroom One Bath1BR,1BA$2.66
La Casa Blanca1BR/1.0BA1BR,1BA$2.79
Bristol28311BR/1.0BA1BR,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.

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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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Remember the 3 Rules of Real Estate:
Location, Location, Location!

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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

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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.

decorative image for First Apartment Regrets: Real Renters Share What They'd Do Differently article

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.