How much does it cost to rent in Costa Mesa, CA?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Costa Mesa, CA is $3,113. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Costa Mesa cheaper than other California cities?

Costa Mesa is one of the pricier cities in California, ranking #129 out of 387 cities tracked at $3,113/mo.

When was Costa Mesa rent data last updated?

Costa Mesa rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

City Report · CA

Costa Mesa

Name: Average Rent Prices in Costa Mesa, CA
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 110,330·129th most expensive in California·One of the pricier rental markets in the US

Median rent (all units)

$3,113/mo

Year-over-Year

+2.8%

Month-over-Month

+1.7%

vs US Median

+$1,148

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Costa Mesa · $3,113

More expensive than 92% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

55/100

Fairly priced

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 2% below what Costa Mesa's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent

$3,113/mo

Expected by trend

$3,190/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Costa Mesa's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$2,410

1 BR

$2,510

2 BR

$2,970

3 BR

$4,015

4 BR+

$4,800

Research median

$2,970/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$37,356/yr

At $3,113/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 2.8% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+2.8% YoY, +1.7% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

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.

Population

110,330

Median income

$111,505

Median age

36.7

Renters

60.4%

Age distribution

18.5%

28.2%

27.7%

12.3%

13.2%

Under 1818.5%

18–3428.2%

35–5427.7%

55–6412.3%

65+13.2%

Gender

51.4%

48.6%

Male51.4%

Female48.6%

Race & ethnicity

51.8%

36.6%

White51.8%

Black1.9%

Hispanic36.6%

Asian8.3%

Other1.4%

Education (25+)

16.9%

26.3%

45%

No HS diploma11.9%

HS diploma16.9%

Some college26.3%

Bachelor's+45%

Housing tenure

39.6%

60.4%

Owner39.6%

Renter60.4%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Costa Mesa, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$2,292 → $3,113

up 35.8%

Income

$96,391 → $111,505

up 15.7%

Population

112,148 → 110,330

down 1.6%

Renter share

59.7% → 60.4%

+0.7 pts

Bachelor's+

42.2% → 45%

+2.8 pts

Median age

36 → 36.7

+0.7 yrs

Since 2021, the typical rent in Costa Mesa, CA has climbed from $2,292 to $3,113, a 35.8% 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.

Community

Discussions about Costa Mesa

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View Costa Mesa rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Costa Mesa on your salary?

At $3,113/mo, how Costa Mesa rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $111,486/yr · Rent = 33.5% income

stretched

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $79,154/yr · Rent = 47.2% income

rent-burdened

Police Officer

Avg $91,179/yr · Rent = 41% income

rent-burdened

Software Developer

Avg $162,970/yr · Rent = 22.9% income

affordable

Lawyer

Avg $208,235/yr · Rent = 17.9% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $74,116/yr · Rent = 50.4% income

severely rent-burdened

Truck Driver

Avg $66,918/yr · Rent = 55.8% income

severely rent-burdened

Electrician

Avg $82,482/yr · Rent = 45.3% income

rent-burdened

By apartment size

Costa Mesa rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Costa Mesa. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Costa Mesa

About renting in Costa Mesa, CA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Costa Mesa is $3,113/mo as of July 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 2.8% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Costa Mesa an affordable city for renters?

Costa Mesa is considered moderate for renters. At $3,113/mo, rent takes approximately 34% of the local median household income ($111,505/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Costa Mesa slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Costa Mesa?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $125,000/year (~$60/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $3,113/mo in Costa Mesa. The local median household income is $111,505/yr, meaning the typical Costa Mesa household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Costa Mesa?

Rent in Costa Mesa has increased 2.8% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Costa Mesa neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Costa Mesa are 92626 ($3,033/mo), and 92627 ($3,453/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Costa Mesa is $3,113/mo.

How does Costa Mesa rent compare to other cities in California?

Costa Mesa is one of the pricier cities in California for rent, ranking #129 out of 387 tracked cities at $3,113/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Costa Mesa?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Costa Mesa ($3,113/mo): Garden Grove ($2,679/mo), Fountain Valley ($2,698/mo), Santa Ana ($2,785/mo).

What percentage of Costa Mesa residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 60.4% of Costa Mesa households are renters, while 39.6% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Costa Mesa has a strong rental market.

How does Costa Mesa rent compare to the national average?

Costa Mesa's median rent of $3,113/mo is $1,148 (58%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within California, it ranks #129 out of 387 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

34%

MODERATE

At $3,113/mo, rent takes ~34% of Costa Mesa's median household income ($111,505/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Costa Mesa 34%Benchmark 30%

State income tax1–13.3%

Run the Costa Mesa affordability calculator →

Nearby cities