Rents are 2% below what Costa Mesa's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $3,136 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.
Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →
12-month history
Last updated: August 17, 2026
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Who lives here
Costa Mesa, CA is majority renter-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 45% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Costa Mesa, CA has changed in 5 years
Since 2021, the typical rent in Costa Mesa, CA has climbed from $2,292 to $3,136, a 36.8% change over five years. Census figures show median household income at $111,505 today, compared with $96,391 five years earlier. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The population has contracted by 1.6% since 2021, moving from about 112,148 residents to roughly 110,330. College-educated residents now make up 45% of adults here, versus 42.2% in 2021. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2021.
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Can you afford rent in Costa Mesa on your salary?
At $3,136/mo, how Costa Mesa rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Costa Mesa rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Costa Mesa. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Costa Mesa
Last updated: August 17, 2026
The median rent in Costa Mesa is $3,136/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,410/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,970/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,510/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $4,015/mo.
At 34% of local median household income ($111,505/yr), Costa Mesa ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 3.4% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
Is Costa Mesa an affordable city for renters?
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Is rent going up or down in Costa Mesa?
Which Costa Mesa neighborhoods have the lowest rent?
How does Costa Mesa rent compare to other cities in California?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Costa Mesa?
What percentage of Costa Mesa residents rent vs. own?
How does Costa Mesa rent compare to the national average?
At $3,136/mo, rent takes ~34% of Costa Mesa's median household income ($111,505/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
How does this area stack up?
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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