Costa Mesa

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Costa Mesa, CA

Area Guide

Laid-back living at the heart of Orange County

Arts Suburb Commuter Beach

Costa Mesa combines suburban comfort with metropolitan amenities in the heart of Orange County. As the "City of the Arts," Costa Mesa provides residents with housing options ranging from single-family homes to apartment communities. The rental market remains competitive, with current average rents ranging from $2,103 for studios to $3,770 for four-bedroom units, reflecting a moderate annual increase of 2.8-4.3% across different unit sizes. The South Coast Metro area, surrounding South Coast Plaza, and the Mesa Verde neighborhood offer distinctive residential environments with easy access to parks and shopping.

Costa Mesa's cultural scene and outdoor spaces define daily life here. The Segerstrom Center for the Arts and South Coast Repertory Theater anchor the city's performing arts district. South Coast Plaza serves as a premier shopping destination and community focal point. The city features 26 parks and recreation facilities, while the annual Orange County Fair draws crowds each summer. Orange Coast College and Vanguard University contribute to the area's educational landscape. Located just one mile from the Pacific Ocean, Costa Mesa residents enjoy convenient beach access and a Mediterranean climate perfect for year-round outdoor activities.

Explore the City

Rent Trends

As of December 2025, the average apartment rent in Costa Mesa, CA is $2,095 for a studio, $2,505 for one bedroom, $2,939 for two bedrooms, and $3,317 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Costa Mesa has increased by 2.5% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$2,505/month
695 Sq Ft
House
$9,274/month
1,732 Sq Ft
Condo
$4,008/month
1,028 Sq Ft
Townhome
$4,735/month
1,312 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in Costa Mesa, CA

Transportation

73

Very Walkable

out of 100 WalkScore® Rating

If you enjoy walking, you’ll enjoy renting in this area! It’s a very walkable neighborhood.

38

Some Transit

out of 100 TransitScore® Rating

You'll likely want a car when living in this area since it has few transit options.

65

Bikeable

out of 100 BikeScore® Rating

While there’s some bike infrastructure in this area, you’ll still need a car for many errands.

Schools

Heinz Kaiser Elementary

Public

Grades 3-6

553 Students

Adams Elementary

Public

Grades K-6

355 Students

Maude B. Davis Elementary

Public

Grades K-6

545 Students

Killybrooke Elementary

Public

Grades K-6

423 Students

California Elementary

Public

Grades K-6

375 Students

Charles W. Tewinkle Middle

Public

Grades 7-8

506 Students

Costa Mesa High

Public

Grades 7-12

1,776 Students

Costa Mesa High

Public

Grades 7-12

1,776 Students

Estancia High

Public

Grades 9-12

1,040 Students

Points of Interest

Parks and Recreation

  • Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve
  • Talbert Regional Park
  • Environmental Nature Center
  • Castaways Park
  • UCI Arboretum

Airports

  • John Wayne/Orange County
  • Long Beach (Daugherty Field)

Top Apartments in Costa Mesa

Houses for Rent in Costa Mesa

Property Management Companies in Costa Mesa, CA

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Methodology

† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.

Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.

Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in November 2025.