Cheap Apartments for Rent in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA from $2,100 (43 Rentals)

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Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in Rancho Santa Margarita.

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29 Via Cresta, Unit 29
$2,350
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$2,350

Total Monthly Price
$2,350
1 Bedroom Apartment Available Aug 8

29 Via Cresta, Unit 29

29 Via CrestaRancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
Furnished

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property at 132 Flor De Sol

$2,800

Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$2,800

Total Monthly Price
$2,800

2 Bedroom, 2 Bath Condo for Rent

Available Now

132 Flor De Sol

Rancho Santa MargaritaCA92688

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property at 9 Pegasus Dr

$2,495

Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$2,495

Total Monthly Price
$2,495

1 Bedroom, 1 Bath Home for Rent

Available Now

9 Pegasus Dr

Coto De CazaCA92679

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eaves Mission Viejo
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

eaves Mission Viejo

24950 Via Florecer ViaMission Viejo, CA 92692
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Madrid
1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Madrid

28401 Los Alisos BlvdMission Viejo, CA 92692

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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.

Rancho Santa Margarita, CA Local Guide

Cheapest Neighborhoods for Apartments in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA

Pricing Updated: 07/30/2026

Current apartment rentals in the Rancho Santa Margarita, CA area range in price from to with an overall median price of . Here is today’s list neighborhoods with the lowest median pricing for Rancho Santa Margarita Apartments for rent:

NeighborhoodMedian PriceMin PriceAvailable Units
Rancho Santa Margarita Central$3,829$2,20753
Samlarc$3,829$2,20759
Las Flores$4,482$2,35037
Tijeras Creek Golf Club$4,482$2,29060

Cheapest Available Rancho Santa Margarita Apartments for Rent

 

The cheapest available apartment rental in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA is a 1 Bed unit found at Saddleback Ranch Apartments in the Mission Viejo Central neighborhood priced from $2,188. Cortesia at Rancho Santa Margarita in the Mission Viejo Central neighborhood has the second lowest priced unit, which is a 1 Bed apartment currently listed from $2,207. Here is today’s list of the most affordable Rancho Santa Margarita apartments for rent:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
Saddleback Ranch Apartments1 Bed 1 Bath Up1BR,1BA$2,188
Cortesia at Rancho Santa MargaritaSiena1BR,1BA$2,207
Los Alisos at Mission ViejoOne Bedroom A1B1BR,1BA$2,299
Emerald Court Apartment HomesPlan 21BR,1BA$2,325
55+ Community FountainGlen Rancho Santa MargaritaSedonaStudio,1BA$2,340
Mosaic Apartment HomesPlan B1BR,1BA$2,350
Vista Del LagoCosta1BR,1BA$2,416
Villas Antonio Apartment HomesPlan One1BR,1BA$2,420
154 Canyon Woods Apartments1 Bedroom / 1 Bath1BR,1BA$2,425
Villas Aliento Apartment HomesPlan 11BR,1BA$2,450

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA

As of July 30, 2026 the best value apartment in the Rancho Santa Margarita area is the $2.95 price per square foot Plan B Model at Ridgecrest Apartments in the in the Mission Viejo Central neighborhood starting from $3,096. The second greatest value Rancho Santa Margarita apartment is the B1 Model at Avalon Baker Ranch starting at $3,245 with a $3.15 price per square foot in the Mission Viejo North neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Rancho Santa Margarita apartments based on price per square foot:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPrice Per Sq.Ft.
Ridgecrest ApartmentsPlan B2BR,2BA$2.95
Avalon Baker RanchB12BR,2BA$3.15
Sonterra at Foothill RanchHeather2BR,2BA$3.14
Westridge Apartment HomesHacienda2BR,2BA$3.04
Villa La Paz Apartment HomesPlan B2BR,2BA$3.12
Heritage Park Senior Apartment HomesPlan C2BR,1BA$3.39
154 Canyon Woods Apartments1 Bedroom / 1 Bath1BR,1BA$3.11
Saddleback Ranch Apartments1 Bed 1 Bath Up1BR,1BA$2.92
SYCAMORE LANE APARTMENT HOMESAgave1BR,1BA$3.41
Mosaic Apartment HomesPlan B1BR,1BA$3.36

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 Cheap Rancho Santa Margarita Apartments

How much is rent for a Cheap One Bedroom Rancho Santa Margarita Apartment?

The lowest price for a Cheap One Bedroom Rancho Santa Margarita Apartment is $2,188 at Saddleback Ranch Apartments.

What is the lowest price for a Cheap Two Bedroom Rancho Santa Margarita Apartment for rent?

Today's best deal for a Cheap Two Bedroom Apartment in Rancho Santa Margarita is starting from $2,654 at 55+ Community FountainGlen Rancho Santa Margarita.

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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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.

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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.

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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.