Cheap Apartments for Rent in Costa Mesa, CA from $1,000 (76 Rentals)

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

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Wallace Apartments
1 Bedroom Apartments

Wallace Apartments

1915 Wallace AveCosta Mesa, CA 92627
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931 W 19th St
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

931 W 19th St

931 W 19th StCosta Mesa, CA 92627
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The Arbors
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

The Arbors

140 W Wilson StCosta Mesa, CA 92627
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Pine Tree Villa
1 Bedroom Apartments

Pine Tree Villa

114 E 20th StCosta Mesa, CA 92627
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Sus Casitas
Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments

Sus Casitas

2110 Newport BlvdCosta Mesa, CA 92627
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145 East 18th
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

145 East 18th

145 E 18th StCosta Mesa, CA 92627
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Sea Wind Apartments
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Sea Wind Apartments

2250 Vanguard WayCosta Mesa, CA 92626
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Sea Wind Apartments
2 Bedroom Apartments

Sea Wind Apartments

398 Wilson StCosta Mesa, CA 92626
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Trio Apartment Homes
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Trio Apartment Homes

879, 887-897 Center StCosta Mesa, CA 92627
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Sundance West
2 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Sundance West

1990-2002 Maple AveCosta Mesa, CA 92627
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La Mancha Apartments
1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

La Mancha Apartments

778 Scott PlCosta Mesa, CA 92627
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Casa Serena Townhomes
2 Bedroom Apartments

Casa Serena Townhomes

2045 Wallace AveCosta Mesa, CA 92627
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Orange Bungalows
2 Bedroom Apartments

Orange Bungalows

2666 Orange AveCosta Mesa, CA 92627
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St. John's Manor
1 Bedroom Apartments

St. John's Manor

2031 Orange AveCosta Mesa, CA 92627
Senior Living
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Costa Mesa, CA Local Guide

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Written By:
Staff Writer
Local Guide Expert

Cheapest Neighborhoods for Apartments in Costa Mesa, CA

Pricing Updated: 04/05/2025

Current apartment rentals in the Costa Mesa, CA area range in price from $1,499 to $14,389 with an overall median price of $3,845. The three Costa Mesa neighborhoods with the lowest median rent pricing are Newport Heights at $3,500, Bungalows at Bay Street at $1,956, and Cornerstone at $1,500. 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
Newport Heights$3,500$3,5001
Bungalows at Bay Street$3,515$1,956100
Cornerstone$3,515$1,500111
College Park$3,601$1,500110
Westside Costa Mesa$3,825$1,499366
East Side Costa Mesa$3,935$1,500222
Downtown Costa Mesa$4,380$1,804121
Orange County Airport$4,491$2,075376

Cheapest Available Costa Mesa Apartments for Rent

 

The cheapest available apartment rental in Costa Mesa, CA is a Studio unit found at Apex Apartments in the Cornerstone neighborhood priced from $1,500. Eight 80 Newport Beach in the Upper Newport Bay neighborhood has the second lowest priced unit, which is a Studio apartment currently listed from $1,804. Here is today’s list of the most affordable Costa Mesa apartments for rent:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
Apex ApartmentsStudio XXSStudio,1BA$1,500
Eight 80 Newport BeachDune I (E1B-S)Studio,1BA$1,804
Harbor at Mesa VerdePlan E1AStudio,1BA$1,956
Westbay ApartmentsStudioStudio,1BA$1,975
Pacific ParkStudioStudio,1BA$1,985
Harbor Village ApartmentsPlan AStudio,1BA$1,995
Ponderosa Mobile Estates1 Bedroom1BR,1BA$2,000
AVA NewportS1Studio,1BA$2,065
The Grand Costa MesaThe Palm1BR,1BA$2,075
Newport Village ApartmentsJunior 1 BedroomStudio,1BA$2,075

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Costa Mesa, CA

As of April 05, 2025 the best value apartment in the Costa Mesa area is the $2.63 price per square foot 9382 Molokai Dr Model at 9382 Molokai Dr in the in the Southeast Huntington Beach neighborhood starting from $5,795. The second greatest value Costa Mesa apartment is the 296 16th Pl Model at 296 16th Pl, Unit B starting at $3,500 with a $2.80 price per square foot in the Balboa Island 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.
9382 Molokai Dr9382 Molokai Dr3BR,3BA$2.63
296 16th Pl, Unit B296 16th Pl2BR,1.5BA$2.80
1024 Mission Townhomes2 Bedroom, 1.5 Bathroom Townhome2BR,1.5BA$2.85
Villa Marseilles ApartmentsThe Lavender Garden-2 BR, 2 BA- Yard2BR,2BA$2.75
3400 South Main StreetTwo Bedroom Two Bath2BR,2BA$2.48
994 Valencia St, Unit 104994 Valencia St2BR,2BA$2.76
1022 El Camino Dr, Unit C1022 El Camino Dr3BR,2BA$2.79
2225 Canyon Dr2 Bed 2 Bath2BR,2BA$2.82
Huntington VistaBarcelona2BR,2BA$2.48
Valley Park2 Bed 1.5 Bath2BR,1.5BA$2.42

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Costa Mesa Overview

Costa Mesa is the heartbeat of Orange County in many ways, just an arm's stretch to first-class shopping, dining, colleges and beaches, as well as minutes from renowned cultural arts venues and hundreds of major employers. Apartment living in Costa Mesa means quick and easy freeway access to the entire SoCal lifestyle!

Why live in Costa Mesa, CA?

Costa Mesa apartments put you right in the center of the OC, within about 15 minutes of everything – rather than 30 minutes or more. Exits off the 405 give direct access to the world-famous coastlines of Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach and Newport Beach for surfing, bonfires, rollerblading and pier fishing. Costa Mesa itself has 28 parks and two municipal golf courses, so you can easily hop a bus for some local outdoor fun. Shopping is a major thing, with more than 250 boutiques and restaurants at South Coast Plaza, and some interesting indie shops at The Lab, The Camp and the SoCo Collection.

Pet Friendly Lifestyle
Costa Mesa, CA

Ranked #59

Among cities in California for Apartment listings with Pet Friendly Amenities

Pet Friendliness Lifestyle Score

2.5
Pet Friendly

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Best Local Schools in
Costa Mesa, CA

School data provided by Great Schools

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

Explore Costa Mesa, CA Rentals by Map

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See the most popular apartments and homes in Costa Mesa, CA

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Getting Around Costa Mesa, CA

Walk Score®

73 / 100

Very Walkable

Most errands can be accomplished on foot

Bike Score®

66 / 100

Bikeable

Some bike infrastructure

Transit Score®

38 / 100

Some Transit

A few nearby public transportation options

What Are Walk Score®, Transit Score®, and Bike Score® Ratings?

  • Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address.
  • Transit Score® measures access to public transit.
  • Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Costa Mesa Apartments

What is the Cheapest Studio apartment in Costa Mesa?

Currently the most affordable Cheap Studio Apartment in Costa Mesa is at Apex Apartments listed at $1,500.

How much is rent for a Cheap One Bedroom Costa Mesa Apartment?

The lowest price for a Cheap One Bedroom Costa Mesa Apartment is $1,999 at Eight 80 Newport Beach.

What is the lowest price for a Cheap Two Bedroom Costa Mesa Apartment for rent?

Today's best deal for a Cheap Two Bedroom Apartment in Costa Mesa is starting from $2,310 at Palm Island 55+ Active Senior Community.

What is the most affordable Costa Mesa Three Bedroom Apartment?

The best deal on a cheap Costa Mesa Three Bedroom Apartment rental is at Villa Siena and starts from $3,374.

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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Understanding Amenity Fees: Know Where You Might Be Able to Save Money

Written by: Amber Kanuckel

With the rising costs of housing, a lot of renters are asking this question: Is it possible to opt out of various amenities that your rental property offers so that you can avoid paying the fees.

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Renting Smart: Lease Basics Every Renter Needs

Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.

Often, in the excitement of finding a new place to live, there’s a rush to make it happen, and - too often - a new tenant signs a lease without reading it carefully.

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Battling the Butts: Your Guide to the Reality of Smoke-Free Renting

Written by: Andrea Lee Negroni, JD

While many apartment buildings are “no smoking” properties, it’s hard to know exactly how many. In 2017, the National Apartment Association reported more than half of rental properties had smoke free policies.

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How Your Move-In Inspection Can Protect Your Security Deposit

Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.

If you’re anything like most people, housing costs represent a huge chunk of your monthly budget. On top of that, moving can be both a stressful and expensive affair.