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Rental Market Trends in Costa Mesa, CA

Updated July 2026

The average rent in Costa Mesa, CA is $2,559/month.

Rent in Costa Mesa is 54% higher than the national average rent of $1,662/month, making this one of the more expensive cities statewide.

$2,559/month

Average Rent

695 Sq Ft

Average Size

+2.9%

Change / Year

1,213

Available Apartments

Costa Mesa rent varies by unit size and layout:

  • Studio apartments in Costa Mesa average $2,153 per month.
  • One-bedroom apartments in Costa Mesa average $2,559 per month.
  • Two-bedroom apartments in Costa Mesa average $3,049 per month.
  • Three-bedroom apartments in Costa Mesa average $3,414 or more per month.

Average Rent by Home Type

Bedrooms
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Studio
$2,153/month
474 Sq Ft
One Bedroom
$2,559/month
695 Sq Ft
Two Bedroom
$3,049/month
949 Sq Ft
Three Bedroom
$3,414/month
1,152 Sq Ft
Bedrooms
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Two Bedroom
$7,389/month
1,230 Sq Ft
Three Bedroom
$9,272/month
1,653 Sq Ft
Four Bedroom
$11,465/month
2,495 Sq Ft
Bedrooms
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Two Bedroom
$5,184/month
1,202 Sq Ft
Three Bedroom
$6,690/month
1,217 Sq Ft
Bedrooms
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Two Bedroom
$4,079/month
684 Sq Ft
Three Bedroom
$5,707/month
1,507 Sq Ft
View Costa Mesa Apartments

How much has average rent changed in Costa Mesa, CA?

In the past year, rent has increased by 2.9%, which averages out to $76 more per month.

Market Trends Over Time

July 2026

2025 2026
Market Trends Over Time

Rent Ranges in Costa Mesa, CA

July 2026
Above $2,000
Most rental prices fall within this range
Rent Ranges in Costa Mesa, CA
Percentage*
Rent Range
0% Below $700/month
2% $700 - $1,000/month
8% $1,001 - $1,500/month
22% $1,501 - $2,000/month
69% Above $2,000/month

Rent by Neighborhood

  • Most Affordable
  • Most Expensive
  • Most Available

What are the most affordable neighborhoods in Costa Mesa?

Based on current rent prices, Downtown Costa Mesa, East Side Costa Mesa and Westside Costa Mesa are the most affordable neighborhoods in Costa Mesa.

Calculate Rent Affordability
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Downtown Costa Mesa
$2,538/month
660 Sq Ft
East Side Costa Mesa
$2,575/month
657 Sq Ft
Westside Costa Mesa
$2,577/month
701 Sq Ft

What are the most expensive neighborhoods in Costa Mesa?

Based on current rent prices, Westside Costa Mesa, East Side Costa Mesa and Downtown Costa Mesa are the most expensive neighborhoods in Costa Mesa.

Calculate Rent Affordability
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Westside Costa Mesa
$2,577/month
701 Sq Ft
East Side Costa Mesa
$2,575/month
657 Sq Ft
Downtown Costa Mesa
$2,538/month
660 Sq Ft

Which Costa Mesa neighborhoods have the most rentals available?

The neighborhoods in Costa Mesa with the most apartments available are Westside Costa Mesa, Downtown Costa Mesa and East Side Costa Mesa .

Calculate Rent Affordability
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Westside Costa Mesa
$2,577/month
701 Sq Ft
Downtown Costa Mesa
$2,538/month
660 Sq Ft
East Side Costa Mesa
$2,575/month
657 Sq Ft
This information is based on data collected by CoStar Group researchers.†

What salary do I need to live comfortably in Costa Mesa, CA?

Because the average rent in Costa Mesa is $2,559, you’ll want to make about $8,530 per month or $102,360 per year. The general guideline is to pay no more than 30 percent of your monthly income on rent. However, you’ll want to consider additional factors, such as your monthly bills and other expenses. Use our rent affordability calculator to help determine how much to budget for rent.

City

Costa Mesa, CA

1,213 Available Apartments for Rent

Search for Nearby Apartments

How does Costa Mesa, CA compare to other nearby cities and neighborhoods?

Use the tool below to compare Costa Mesa, CA to other nearby cities and neighborhoods. The Apartments.com neighborhood guides provide you with insight into the area’s transportation, things to do, and more.

View the Costa Mesa Area Guide

Apartment Averages

Downtown Costa Mesa

Costa Mesa, CA

Westside Costa Mesa

Costa Mesa, CA

Studio
$1,986/month
$2,065/month
One Bedroom
$2,257/month
$2,456/month
Two Bedroom
$2,695/month
$2,875/month
Three Bedroom
$3,687/month
$3,320/month
View Rentals
View Rentals

Compare Rent Trends Nearby

Get a clearer picture of the area by viewing rent trends in nearby cities.

  • Newport Beach

    Newport Beach

  • Santa Ana

    Santa Ana

  • Huntington Beach

    Huntington Beach

Apartment Communities in Costa Mesa We Think You'll Love

Madison Newport Apartment Homes

Madison Newport Apartment Homes

2345 Newport Blvd,
Costa Mesa, CA 92627

1-3 Beds | $2,750 - $4,350

The Grand Costa Mesa

The Grand Costa Mesa

2855 Pinecreek Dr,
Costa Mesa, CA 92626

1-2 Beds | $2,405 - $3,645

Enzo

Enzo

3100 Martin,
Irvine, CA 92612

Studio - 2 Beds | $2,934 - $5,413

Aurum

Aurum

2055 Main St,
Irvine, CA 92614

Studio - 2 Beds | $3,307 - $4,973

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average rent in Costa Mesa?

The average rent in Costa Mesa is $2,559 per month, which is 54.0% higher than the national average of $1,662.

What is the average rent for a house in Costa Mesa?

The average rent for a house in Costa Mesa, CA is $9,272 per month.

What is the average rent for a townhome in Costa Mesa?

The average rent for a townhome in Costa Mesa, CA is $4,079 per month.

Are rents going up or down in Costa Mesa?

Rents in Costa Mesa, CA are increasing, with prices up 2.9% year-over-year and $76 more per month.

What rent range is most common in Costa Mesa?

In Costa Mesa, CA, 69% of apartments fall above $2,000/month, though prices may vary depending on location and other factors.

United States California Costa Mesa Rental Trends

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 June 2026.

Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.

* Percentages may not total 100 due to rounding.

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© 2026 CoStar Group, Inc. Equal Housing Opportunity

Equal Housing Opportunity

© 2026 CoStar Group, Inc.

Equal Housing Opportunity