Bedroom count
Property type
Last updated on November 2, 2026
Average rent in
Costa Mesa, CA
Average rent in
Last updated on November 2, 2026
Bedroom count
Property type
Key takeaways for renters
The bottom line
Costa Mesa, CA rent rose 3.5% year over year, with a current median of $3,135/month. Renters today are paying $105 more per month on average than last year, continuing a moderate upward trend despite rents being below the peak of $3,395/month in July 2025.
Vs. national rents
Costa Mesa rents run roughly 1.65× the $1,900/month national median, placing it among pricier coastal metros with a total of 108 total rentals available across the city.
Rent ranges by bedroom
Studios in Costa Mesa rent for about $2,175/month, 1-bedrooms around $2,494/month, and 2-bedrooms near $3,200/month, with 3-bedrooms and 4+ bedrooms reaching $5,000/month and $6,648/month respectively.
Price ranges
Apartments make up 58% of rentals with a median rent of $2,995/month, while houses rent for $5,500/month on average. This split defines different renter options within Costa Mesa's market.
Median rent
Median rent in Costa Mesa
$3,135/mo
3%vs previous year
The average rent in Costa Mesa is $3,135 per month as of October 2026. This is 65% above the national average rent, or $1,235 more per month.
average price per square foot
Total rentals
Available rentals in Costa Mesa
108
for rent on Zumper.com as of October 2026
Rent price distribution
Share of Costa Mesa rentals at each price point
Rent trends in Costa Mesa, CA
Average rent prices in Costa Mesa have increased by 3% over the last month and have increased by 3% since last year.
Rent trends
Rent prices on this page are calculated on a rolling 30-day basis and updated daily.
Compare rent prices in
Costa Mesa, CA
Rent prices in Costa Mesa vary by bedroom size, rental type, and neighborhood. The average rent for an apartment in Costa Mesa is $2,995, whereas a house costs $5,500. 1-bedroom apartments in Costa Mesa run $2,495 on average, while 2-bedroom apartments are $3,200.
Listings | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,175 | 4% | 9% | |
1 bedroom | $2,494 | 4% | 4% | |
2 bedroom | $3,200 | 2% | 5% | |
3 bedroom | $5,000 |  3% | 14% | |
4 bedroom | $6,647 | 26% | 11% |
Listings | ||
|---|---|---|
Central Costa Mesa | $3,008 | |
Eastside Costa Mesa | $3,540 | |
John Wayne Airport | $3,017 | |
Mesa North | $2,802 | |
Mesa Verde | $5,095 | |
Sobeca | $3,158 | |
South Coast Metro | $3,187 | |
Westside Costa Mesa | $2,737 |
Listings | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Apartments | $2,995 | 2% | 7% | |
Condos | $3,547 | 31% | 7% | |
Houses | $5,500 | 12% | 6% |
Studio
Average rent
$2,175
Last 30 days
4%
Last year
9%
1 bedroom
Average rent
$2,494
Last 30 days
4%
Last year
4%
2 bedroom
Average rent
$3,200
Last 30 days
2%
Last year
5%
3 bedroom
Average rent
$5,000
Last 30 days
3%
Last year
14%
4 bedroom
Average rent
$6,647
Last 30 days
26%
Last year
11%
Westside Costa Mesa
Average rent
$2,737
Central Costa Mesa
Average rent
$3,008
Eastside Costa Mesa
Average rent
$3,540
South Coast Metro
Average rent
$3,187
Mesa Verde
Average rent
$5,095
Mesa North
Average rent
$2,802
Sobeca
Average rent
$3,158
John Wayne Airport
Average rent
$3,017
Apartments
Average rent
$2,995
Last 30 days
2%
Last year
7%
Condos
Average rent
$3,547
Last 30 days
31%
Last year
7%
Houses
Average rent
$5,500
Last 30 days
12%
Last year
6%
The table above reflects average rent prices in Costa Mesa, CA, broken down by the number of bedrooms, neighborhoods, and property types. The availability of data for each category is dependent on market inventory and will adjust depending on your selected filters.
How does rent in Costa Mesa, CA compare to other cities?
Compare median rent prices in Costa Mesa and Anaheim by all bedroom counts and property types.
Costa Mesa
65%higher than the national median
29%higher than the national median
Takeaway
The median rent for all rentals in Costa Mesa, CA is 28% higher than the median rent in Anaheim, CA.
Average rent in nearby cities
Explore rent trends in neighboring markets
$2,447
2%$2,395
9%$2,495
$2,800
5%$2,595
4%$3,195
1%$4,400
8%$1,995
5%$7,247
8%$3,019
2%$2,600
1%$2,795
1%Discover rentals in Costa Mesa, CA
4d ago
1053 Presidio Dr, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
1 bed
1 bath
$1,400
Fees may apply. The price shown reflects base rent. Complete fee information is not available from the property, so additional fees may increase the total monthly cost.House for rent
Available Oct 14
4d ago
1059 Presidio Dr, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
1 bed
1 bath
$1,400
Fees may apply. The price shown reflects base rent. Complete fee information is not available from the property, so additional fees may increase the total monthly cost.House for rent
Available Oct 14
3d ago
533 W Wilson St, Costa Mesa, CA 92627
1–2 beds
1 bath
$2,052–$2,889
Fees may apply. The price shown reflects base rent. Complete fee information is not available from the property, so additional fees may increase the total monthly cost.Apartment for rent
1d ago
1955 Wallace Ave, Costa Mesa, CA 92627
1–2 beds
1–2 baths
$2,186–$3,006
Additional fees apply. The price shown reflects base rent. Based on information provided by the property, additional fees may apply, but no required monthly charges have been confirmed. See all fees for details.Apartment for rent
5d+ ago
Eastside Costa Mesa house for rent in Costa Mesa
3 beds
2 baths
$8,499
Fees may apply. The price shown reflects base rent. Complete fee information is not available from the property, so additional fees may increase the total monthly cost.House for rent
Available Oct 24
5d+ ago
Eastside Costa Mesa house for rent in Costa Mesa
3 beds
2 baths
$8,495
Additional fees apply. The price shown reflects base rent. Based on information provided by the property, additional fees may apply, but no required monthly charges have been confirmed. See all fees for details.House for rent
Available Sep 30
5d+ ago
Westside Costa Mesa house for rent in Costa Mesa
2 beds
3 baths
$5,500
Fees may apply. The price shown reflects base rent. Complete fee information is not available from the property, so additional fees may increase the total monthly cost.House for rent
2d ago
Westside Costa Mesa house for rent in Costa Mesa
2 beds
2.5 baths
$5,100
Additional fees apply. The price shown reflects base rent. Based on information provided by the property, additional fees may apply, but no required monthly charges have been confirmed. See all fees for details.House for rent
Available Oct 30
3d ago
Verified
1850 Whittier Ave, Costa Mesa, CA 92627
1–2 beds
1–2 baths
$3,320–$3,684
Total Monthly Price. The price shown reflects a 14-month lease and includes base rent and all known required monthly fees, based on information provided by the property.Apartment for rent
1d ago
Verified
1250 Adams Ave, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
1–3 beds
1–2 baths
$2,549–$3,747
Fees may apply. The price shown reflects base rent. Complete fee information is not available from the property, so additional fees may increase the total monthly cost.Apartment for rent
2d ago
2244 Canyon Dr, Costa Mesa, CA 92627
2 beds
1 bath
$3,000–$3,500
Fees may apply. The price shown reflects base rent. Complete fee information is not available from the property, so additional fees may increase the total monthly cost.Apartment for rent
1h ago
Verified
1765 Santa Ana Ave, Costa Mesa, CA 92627
Studio–3 beds
1–2 baths
$2,590–$4,145
Additional fees apply. The price shown reflects base rent. Based on information provided by the property, additional fees may apply, but no required monthly charges have been confirmed. See all fees for details.Apartment for rent
1d ago
Verified
1250 Adams Ave, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
1–3 beds
1–2 baths
$2,549–$3,747
Fees may apply. The price shown reflects base rent. Complete fee information is not available from the property, so additional fees may increase the total monthly cost.Apartment for rent
3d ago
Verified
555 Paularino Ave, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
1–2 beds
1–2 baths
$2,370–$3,155
Additional fees apply. The price shown reflects base rent. Based on information provided by the property, additional fees may apply, but no required monthly charges have been confirmed. See all fees for details.Apartment for rent
3d ago
Verified
1850 Whittier Ave, Costa Mesa, CA 92627
1–2 beds
1–2 baths
$3,320–$3,684
Total Monthly Price. The price shown reflects a 14-month lease and includes base rent and all known required monthly fees, based on information provided by the property.Apartment for rent
2d ago
Verified
1765 Santa Ana Ave, Costa Mesa, CA 92627
1–3 beds
1–2 baths
$3,560–$5,410
Fees may apply. The price shown reflects base rent. Complete fee information is not available from the property, so additional fees may increase the total monthly cost.Apartment for rent
1d ago
Verified
1250 Adams Ave, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
1–3 beds
1–2 baths
$2,549–$3,747
Fees may apply. The price shown reflects base rent. Complete fee information is not available from the property, so additional fees may increase the total monthly cost.Apartment for rent
1h ago
Verified
1765 Santa Ana Ave, Costa Mesa, CA 92627
Studio–3 beds
1–2 baths
$2,590–$4,145
Additional fees apply. The price shown reflects base rent. Based on information provided by the property, additional fees may apply, but no required monthly charges have been confirmed. See all fees for details.Apartment for rent
3d ago
Verified
555 Paularino Ave, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
1–2 beds
1–2 baths
$2,370–$3,155
Additional fees apply. The price shown reflects base rent. Based on information provided by the property, additional fees may apply, but no required monthly charges have been confirmed. See all fees for details.Apartment for rent
3d ago
Verified
1765 Santa Ana Ave, Costa Mesa, CA 92627
3 beds
2 baths
$5,410
Fees may apply. The price shown reflects base rent. Complete fee information is not available from the property, so additional fees may increase the total monthly cost.Apartment for rent
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Frequently asked questions for Costa Mesa, CA
Quick answers to common questions about the Costa Mesa rental market.
How much is rent in Costa Mesa?
The average rent in Costa Mesa is $3,135 per month as of October 31, 2026.
Is rent up or down in Costa Mesa?
Average rent prices in Costa Mesa have increased by 3% over the last month and have increased by 3% since last year.
How does Costa Mesa rent compare to the national average?
Rent in Costa Mesa is 65% above the national average, which means renters are paying approximately $1,235 more per month.
Which neighborhoods are most affordable in Costa Mesa?
The most affordable neighborhoods in Costa Mesa are Westside Costa Mesa ($2,737/mo), Mesa North ($2,802/mo), and Central Costa Mesa ($3,008/mo).
What salary do I need to afford rent in Costa Mesa?
To comfortably afford rent in Costa Mesa, you'd need to earn approximately $125,000/year, based on spending no more than 30% of your income on rent.
When is the best time of year to rent in Costa Mesa?
February offers the best rental deals in Costa Mesa with the lowest rents of the year, while September sees peak pricing with roughly 10% higher costs. November and December are less competitive months for apartment hunting.
Methodology
Rent prices are based on Zumper's rental listings from the past 30 days. Median rent is calculated across all available listings and property types on the platform. If you filter the page by bedroom count or property type, the pricing throughout the page will update automatically to reflect that segment of the rental market.
Household and population data come from the U.S. Census Bureau. Cost-of-living data is sourced from the Council for Community and Economic Research's Cost of Living Index (COLI).