Cheap Apartments for Rent in Orange County, CA from $500 (233 Rentals)

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Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in Orange County.

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Seaview Plaza
1 Bedroom Apartments

Seaview Plaza

2800 Pacific View DrNewport Beach, CA 92660
Senior Living
  • Utilities Included
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Casa Maria del Rio
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Casa Maria del Rio

2130 E Chapman AveFullerton, CA 92831
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New Hope Property
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

New Hope Property

330-332 S Newhope StSanta Ana, CA 92704
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317 S Flower St
Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments

317 S Flower St

317 S Flower StSanta Ana, CA 92703
  • Utilities Included
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La Placita Cinco
2 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

La Placita Cinco

2239 W 5th StSanta Ana, CA 92703
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Park Plaza Patria
1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Park Plaza Patria

11480 Court StStanton, CA 90680
  • Utilities Included

Smart Renter's Guide: Calculating Affordable Rent & Housing Costs

Wondering how to determine your rental budget? This comprehensive guide covers everything from the 30% rule to hidden fees and effective budgeting strategies.

Cheapest Available Orange County Apartments for Rent

 

The cheapest available apartment rental in Orange County, CA is a 1 Bed unit found at The Orion in the Orange Park Acres neighborhood priced from $866. Victoria Townhouse in the West Anaheim neighborhood has the second lowest priced unit, which is a Studio apartment currently listed from $1,450. Here is today’s list of the most affordable Orange County apartments for rent:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
The Orion1 Bedroom1BR,1BA$866
Victoria TownhouseStudioStudio,1BA$1,450
Park Stanton Place Senior ApartmentsStudioStudio,1BA$1,550
Fullerton Court ApartmentsStudio - SmallStudio,1BA$1,550
Metro East Senior Park 62+1 Bedroom1BR,1BA$1,557
Lexington CourtyardStudioStudio,1BA$1,595
Parkside La Palma ApartmentsStudioStudio,1BA$1,595
7921 Palin CirStudioStudio,1BA$1,595
Garden Brook Senior VillageStudioStudio,1BA$1,598
55+ FountainGlen Goldenwest Senior ApartmentsAStudio,1BA$1,636

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Orange County, CA

As of August 04, 2025 the best value apartment in the Orange County area is the $2.11 price per square foot 16042 Waikiki Ln Model at 16042 Waikiki Ln, Unit B in the in the McDonnell Center neighborhood starting from $2,950. The second greatest value Orange County apartment is the 2 bed 2 bath Model at Magnolia Apartments starting at $2,700 with a $2.15 price per square foot in the Central OC West of I 5 neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Orange County apartments based on price per square foot:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPrice Per Sq.Ft.
16042 Waikiki Ln, Unit B16042 Waikiki Ln2BR,2BA$2.11
Magnolia Apartments2 bed 2 bath2BR,2BA$2.15
16171 Ganges Lane #3, Huntington Beach, CA 92647, Unit Townhome Style16171 Ganges Lane #3, Huntington Beach, CA 926472BR,1.5BA$1.94
Beachside Apartments2BR 2BA2BR,2BA$2.18
Dove Manor2 Bedrooms 2 Baths2BR,2BA$2.23
Arroyo Casa2BD/2BA2BR,2BA$2.14
Orange Tree Garden Apartments2 Bedroom2BR,1BA$2.17
Arroyo at Baker RanchBR22BR,1BA$2.21
Almont Apartments1 Bed, 1 bath1BR,1BA$2.24
The Orion1 Bedroom1BR,1BA$1.46

Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Orange County Apartments

What is a cheap apartment in Orange County?

A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in Orange County is under $1,636.

What is the price of a cheap apartment in Orange County?

The cheapest apartment in Orange County is The Orion which is listed at $866, while the average apartment in Orange County costs $10,000.

What types of apartments are the cheapest in Orange County?

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 352 regular apartments in Orange County 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 Orange County?

Cheap apartments in Orange County have an average cost of $223 which is $9,777 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in Orange County.

Expert Rental Resources

Helpful Apartment Articles, How-To's and Tips

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.

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The Ultimate Long-Distance Moving Checklist: Tips from a Real Estate Pro

Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.

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Cash or credit? Understanding the Importance of Credit Score in Real Estate and Renting

Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.

Throughout the day, think about all the times that you have to pay for something. So many of us reach automatically for a credit card or even our phone for a quick payment.

decorative image for Roommate Matching: Finding the Right Fit and Avoiding Pitfalls article

Roommate Matching: Finding the Right Fit and Avoiding Pitfalls

Written by: Cheryl Bowman

A fantastic way to save money and enjoy a built-in community is to share an apartment. However, a bad roommate situation can turn your dream rental into a nightmare.

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The Art of the Rental Viewing: What to look for during a property tour

Written by: Marie Brown

You’ve scrolled through countless listings, walked through a blur of rentals, and finally found what feels like the one. The pictures? Fantastic. The neighborhood seems just right.