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Costa Mesa Apartments

Apartments for Rent in Costa Mesa, CA

70 rentals available
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Average rent in Costa Mesa, California

City Guide
The average rent for a 1 bedroom apartment in Costa Mesa is $2,615, while the average rent for a 2 bedroom apartment is $3,440. Rent rates updated 8 days ago
Studio
$2,227
1 Bed
$2,615
2 Beds
$3,440
3+ Beds
$4,193
* Averages are based on the rental prices of properties listed on Apartment List

Top neighborhoods in Costa Mesa

Eastside Costa Mesa

Eastside Costa Mesa

What it’s like to live in Eastside Costa Mesa

Creative energy flows through Eastside Costa Mesa, where modest beach bungalows and California ranch homes attract artists, musicians, and young professionals seeking coastal proximity without Newport Beach prices. The neighborhood's walking distance to both Newport Beach's Upper Back Bay nature preserve and 17th Street's restaurant row creates perfect balance between natural and urban amenities. Though some properties show their age with vintage quirks requiring maintenance knowledge beyond typical renter experience, the trade-off comes in architectural character and established gardens unavailable in newer developments. The primary consideration remains street parking challenges, particularly during summer beach season when visitor overflow affects residential areas. The neighborhood perfectly balances coastal accessibility with authentic community character increasingly rare in Orange County's more developed beach communities.
Great for
Families
Retirees
Professionals
Young Renters
Commuters
Neighborhood vibe
Mixed-Use
Peaceful
Mixed-Use & Commercial
Central Costa Mesa

Central Costa Mesa

What it’s like to live in Central Costa Mesa

Eclectic energy defines this enclave where the LAB Anti-Mall hosts avant-garde art installations. Renters love walkability to OC Fairgrounds but contend with event-related parking shortages. Many 1960s courtyard complexes lack central AC despite coastal humidity.
Great for
Young Professionals
Tech Workers
Nightlife Enthusiasts
Commuters
Investors
Neighborhood vibe
Urban
Bustling
Walkable
Westside Costa Mesa

Westside Costa Mesa

What it’s like to live in Westside Costa Mesa

Westside Costa Mesa combines beach proximity with more affordable pricing than neighboring Newport Beach. Rental options include everything from apartments to California bungalows, many with outdoor living spaces perfect for enjoying the perfect climate. The neighborhood offers excellent access to both beach recreation and the dining options along 17th Street, creating an ideal balance for coastal enthusiasts seeking value within Orange County's premium market.
Great for
Families
Retirees
Professionals
Young Renters
Commuters
Neighborhood vibe
Mixed-Use
Peaceful
Mixed-Use & Commercial

Find an apartment for rent in Costa Mesa, CA

Searching for an apartment for rent in Costa Mesa, CA? Look no further! Apartment List will help you find a perfect apartment near you. There are 70 available rental units listed on Apartment List in Costa Mesa. Click on listings to see photos, floorplans, amenities, prices and availability, and much more!

The average rent in Costa Mesa is $2,227 for a studio, $2,615 for a one-bedroom apartment, and $3,440 for a two-bedroom apartment. If you are looking for a deal, keep an eye out for a red pulsing icon that indicates rent specials.

Tired of browsing? Take our personalized quiz. You’ll answer a couple of simple questions and we’ll put together a list of Costa Mesa apartments that are best for you. We’ll also factor in your commute, budget, and preferred amenities. Looking for a pet-friendly rental, or an apartment with in-unit washer and dryer? No problem, we’ll provide you with apartments that match that criteria.

You can trust Apartment List to help you find your next Costa Mesa, CA apartment rental! After all, everyone deserves a home they love.

Frequently Asked Questions

Costa Mesa Rent Report: March 2025

Welcome to the Apartment List March 2025 Rent Report for Costa Mesa, CA. Currently, the overall median rent in the city stands at $2,538, roughly the same as last month. Prices and are now up 1.6% year-over-year. Read on to learn more about what’s been happening in the Costa Mesa rental market and how it compares to trends throughout the broader Los Angeles metro area and the nation as a whole.

Costa Mesa Renter Confidence Survey
National study of renter’s satisfaction with their cities and states
Here’s how Costa Mesa ranks on:
A-
Overall satisfaction
B-
Safety and crime rate
C+
Jobs and career opportunities
C+
Recreational activities
B-
Quality of schools
A-
Weather
C
State and local taxes
C+
Pet-friendliness

Overview of Findings

Apartment List has released results for Costa Mesa from the second annual Apartment List Renter Satisfaction Survey. The survey, which drew on responses from over 30,000 renters, provides insight into what states and cities must do to meet the needs of the 105 million American renters nationwide.

“According to our results, renters in Costa Mesa are satisfied with the city overall,” says Andrew Woo, Director of Data Science at Apartment List. “They gave a mix of above- and below-average scores.”

Key findings in Costa Mesa include the following:

  • Costa Mesa renters give their city an A- overall for satisfaction.
  • The highest-rated category for Costa Mesa was the weather, which received an A- score.
  • Categories like safety and the quality of local schools received near-average scores of B-.
  • Areas of concern included local job and career opportunities (C+) and access to parks and community events in Costa Mesa (C+).
  • The largest sources of dissatisfaction were commute times, affordability, and access to public transit, which all received an F score from renters.
  • Overall, renter satisfaction in Costa Mesa is comparable to nearby cities like Long Beach (B+) and Irvine (A+), and renters are more satisfied than those in Santa Ana (C).
  • The top rated cities nationwide for renter satisfaction included Arlington, VA; Lincoln, NE; Pasadena, CA; Boston, MA; and Madison, WI. The lowest rated cities included Newark, NJ; Bronx, NY; Bridgeport, CT; Baltimore, MD; and Salinas, CA.
Read More

Living in Costa Mesa, CA

Nestled inside of California’s Orange County sits a small city (only about 16 square miles) that borders the Pacific Ocean. Located thirty miles from Los Angeles and minutes from Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa is a laid back suburb with a history of agriculture, a well-known arts/theatre community and an enviable atmosphere.

During the heyday of all things Laguna and Newport Beach (Oh, how we miss The OC), Costa Mesa played the quiet neighbor

View Costa Mesa City Guide
Sources:
  • School data: GreatSchools
  • Crime data: CrimeIndex (U.S.) provided by Precisely used data sourced from Precisely, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and various law enforcement agencies. These organizations do not accept responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the data used in this product.
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