Cheap Homes for Rent in Costa Mesa, CA from $1,500 (12 Rentals)

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Search the lowest-cost Homes available for rent right now in Costa Mesa.

property at 3623 S Bear St

$2,150

Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$2,150

Total Monthly Price
$2,150

Studio, 1 Bath Condo for Rent

Available Now

3623 S Bear St, Unit A

3623 S Bear St
Santa AnaCA92704

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.

property at 2348 Scholarship

$2,800

Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$2,800

Total Monthly Price
$2,800

1 Bedroom, 1 Bath Condo for Rent

Available Now

2348 Scholarship

IrvineCA92612

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.

Costa Mesa, CA Local Guide

Cheapest Neighborhoods for Apartments in Costa Mesa, CA

Pricing Updated: 06/11/2026

Current apartment rentals in the Costa Mesa, CA area range in price from $1,481 to $12,439 with an overall median price of $4,072. The three Costa Mesa neighborhoods with the lowest median rent pricing are Bungalows at Bay Street at $2,020, Cornerstone at $1,481, and Newport Heights at $3,275. 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
Bungalows at Bay Street$3,357$2,02047
Cornerstone$3,500$1,48196
Newport Heights$3,875$3,2751
East Side Costa Mesa$3,900$1,481169
College Park$4,350$1,48172
Westside Costa Mesa$4,350$1,481322
Downtown Costa Mesa$4,545$1,48155
Orange County Airport$4,705$1,508294

Cheapest Available Costa Mesa Apartments for Rent

 

The cheapest available apartment rental in Costa Mesa, CA is a Studio unit found at Mesa Vista Senior Apartments 55+ in the Cornerstone neighborhood priced from $1,481. Apex Apartment Homes in the Cornerstone neighborhood has the second lowest priced unit, which is a Studio apartment currently listed from $1,500. Here is today’s list of the most affordable Costa Mesa apartments for rent:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
Mesa Vista Senior Apartments 55+StudioStudio,1BA$1,481
Apex Apartment HomesStudio XSStudio,1BA$1,500
Parc DerianWaitlist1BR,1BA$1,508
Casa Pacifica Senior Apartment Homes1 Bedroom1BR,1BA$1,895
Ponderosa Mobile Estates1 Bedroom + Office1BR,1BA$1,900

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Costa Mesa, CA

As of June 11, 2026 the best value apartment in the Costa Mesa area is the $2.89 price per square foot 22AA Model at Axis 2300 in the in the UC Irvine neighborhood starting from $3,795. The second greatest value Costa Mesa apartment is the The Kingston Model at Wimbledon Glen starting at $3,745 with a $2.87 price per square foot in the Bungalows at Bay Street 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.
Axis 230022AA2BR,2.5BA$2.89
Wimbledon GlenThe Kingston2BR,2.5BA$2.87
Parc DerianWaitlist3BR,2BA$1.72
816 Amigos Way, Unit A816 Amigos Way2BR,2BA$2.71
Huntington VistaBarcelona2BR,2BA$2.51
Valley ParkPlan 2A2BR,1.5BA$2.76
Pinecreek ApartmentsThe Arrowhead2BR,1.5BA$2.88
Sea Environment Apartments1x11BR,1BA$2.68
3400 South Main StreetOne Bedroom One Bath1BR,1BA$2.66
Pacifica Apartments1 Bedroom, 1 Bath - Upstairs1BR,1BA$2.73

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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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 1442 Apartments for Rent in Costa Mesa, CA with pricing that ranges from $1,481 to $35,000. There are also 69 Single Family Homes for rent, Condos, and Townhome rentals currently available in Costa Mesa ranging from $1,595 to $40,000.

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 $1,595 to $40,000 with an average monthly rent of $7,456.

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

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

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

Written by: Robin Stewart

Evaluating rental properties for clients draws many parallels to house-hunting. Whether an apartment, loft, townhouse, or other rental, finding the right place means finding “home” for your client.

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Pet-Friendly Renting: Everything You Need to Know Before You Move

Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.

For so many of us, pets are the best companions and a big part of our lives. For this reason, a pet-friendly house or apartment is often a very important - and nonnegotiable - part of a move.

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Creative Ways Developers Reimagine Retail Spaces as Residential Units

Written by: Robin Stewart

Adaptive reuse is when a commercial property is converted and repurposed. The real estate industry has embraced a growing number of these projects.

decorative image for Neighborhood and Market Insights: How to Choose the Right Area to Rent   article

Neighborhood and Market Insights: How to Choose the Right Area to Rent

Written by: Robin Stewart

Apartment-hunting can be a gargantuan task. Renters have a wish list of items—some luxuries, some necessities—but finding what you seek in the right place is perhaps the most important part of the journey.