Cheap Apartments for Rent in Orange County, CA from $500 (215 Rentals)

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

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.

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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.

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

Discover how your credit score impacts your ability to lease or buy a home. Learn how credit scores are determined, how to check yours, and strategies to improve it for real estate success.

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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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Haven Place
Studio to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Haven Place

556-558 Cliff DrLaguna Beach, CA 92651
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Klimpel Manor
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Klimpel Manor

229 E Amerige AveFullerton, CA 92832
  • Utilities Included

Roommate Matching: Finding the Right Fit and Avoiding Pitfalls

When searching for a roommate, follow this list of essential steps and set clear expectations to create a solid foundation for a harmonious living situation.

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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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Oceana
1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Oceana

18151 Beach BlvdHuntington Beach, CA 92648
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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 4 Bedroom Apartments

La Placita Cinco

2239 W 5th StSanta Ana, CA 92703
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Santa Ana Arts Collective
1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Santa Ana Arts Collective

1666 N Main StSanta Ana, CA 92701
Senior Living
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City Gardens Apartments
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

City Gardens Apartments

2901 N Bristol StSanta Ana, CA 92706
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Villa Sonata Apartments
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Villa Sonata Apartments

1601 Civic Center Dr WSanta Ana, CA 92703
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Wallace Apartments
1 Bedroom Apartments

Wallace Apartments

1915 Wallace AveCosta Mesa, CA 92627
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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.

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Cheapest Available Orange County Apartments for Rent

 

The cheapest available apartment rental in Orange County, CA is a Studio unit found at Haven Place in the Civic Art District neighborhood priced from $750. Metro East Senior Park 62+ in the Santa Ana neighborhood has the second lowest priced unit, which is a Studio apartment currently listed from $1,100. Here is today’s list of the most affordable Orange County apartments for rent:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
Haven PlaceLa JollaStudio,1BA$750
Metro East Senior Park 62+StudioStudio,1BA$1,100
Ambassador Inn ApartmentsStudiosStudio,1BA$1,330
Garden Brook Senior VillageStudioStudio,1BA$1,374
Park Stanton Place Senior ApartmentsStudioStudio,1BA$1,421
Lexington CourtyardStudio + 1 BathStudio,1BA$1,495
1031 N LinkStudio + 1 BathStudio,1BA$1,495
Apex Apartment HomesStudio XSStudio,1BA$1,500
Hudson Ridge ApartmentsMedium StudioStudio,1BA$1,500

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Orange County, CA

As of July 14, 2026 the best value apartment in the Orange County area is the $1.42 price per square foot Malibu Model at Haven Place in the in the Civic Art District neighborhood starting from $1,850. The second greatest value Orange County apartment is the Waitlist Model at Parc Derian starting at $2,088 with a $1.72 price per square foot in the Westpark 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.
Haven PlaceMalibu3BR,2BA$1.42
Parc DerianWaitlist3BR,2BA$1.72
First Street3 Bedroom3BR,2BA$1.70
1400 Peckham St.2 Bed 2 Bath Townhome2BR,2BA$2.21
Arroyo Casa2BD/2BA2BR,2BA$2.14
Beachside Apartments2BR 2BA2BR,2BA$2.18
Terrace View West2BR 1 BA2BR,1BA$1.95
7891 Stark Dr.1x11BR,1BA$2.10
Bonnie's Garden Apartments2 Bedroom2BR,1BA$2.07
Empress Apartments1 Beds, 1 Baths1BR,1BA$1.99

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 $1,500.

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

The cheapest apartment in Orange County is Haven Place which is listed at $950, while the average apartment in Orange County costs $4,722.

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 133 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 $156 which is $4,566 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in Orange County.

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

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

Written by: Robin Stewart

Insurance seems to be a part of life. In some states, having insurance is the law, as is the case for automobile insurance. Renters are no exception.

decorative image for Apartment Occupancy Rates: Renter Attraction vs Renter Retention article

Apartment Occupancy Rates: Renter Attraction vs Renter Retention

Written by: Robin Stewart

There’s a tenet in marketing about client or customer attraction and retention. Studies and data have consistently shown it costs less to keep a current customer than to attract a new one.

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.