1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Costa Mesa, CA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Costa Mesa, California as of July 2026. That's +19% lower than the citywide median of $3,113 and +80% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Costa Mesa
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Costa Mesa
Compare Costa Mesa's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in California
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taft | $880 |
| 2 | Ridgecrest | $887 |
| 3 | Lakeport | $900 |
| 4 | California City | $950 |
| 5 | Clearlake | $950 |
| 6 | Barstow | $974 |
| 7 | Oroville | $1,005 |
| 8 | El Centro | $1,020 |
| 9 | Paradise | $1,020 |
| 10 | Red Bluff | $1,030 |
| 11 | Eureka | $1,040 |
| 12 | Porterville | $1,060 |
| 13 | Shafter | $1,060 |
| 14 | Tehachapi | $1,110 |
| 15 | Hanford | $1,120 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in California
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cupertino | $3,880 |
| 2 | Foster City | $3,820 |
| 3 | Santa Cruz | $3,710 |
| 4 | Scotts Valley | $3,600 |
| 5 | Aptos | $3,600 |
| 6 | Tiburon | $3,530 |
| 7 | Los Altos | $3,530 |
| 8 | Coronado | $3,460 |
| 9 | Sunnyvale | $3,438 |
| 10 | Millbrae | $3,410 |
| 11 | Corte Madera | $3,390 |
| 12 | Santa Barbara | $3,382 |
| 13 | Palo Alto | $3,305 |
| 14 | Mountain View | $3,303 |
| 15 | Ladera Ranch | $3,280 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Costa Mesa.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Costa Mesa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fountain Valley, CA | 4.1 mi | $2,630 | +$120 (+5%) |
| Newport Beach, CA | 4.2 mi | $3,236 | +$726 (+29%) |
| Santa Ana, CA | 5.6 mi | $2,118 | $-392 (-16%) |
| Huntington Beach, CA | 7.1 mi | $2,475 | $-35 (-1%) |
| Westminster, CA | 8.2 mi | $2,110 | $-400 (-16%) |
| Irvine, CA | 9 mi | $3,131 | +$621 (+25%) |
| Tustin, CA | 9.2 mi | $2,600 | +$90 (+4%) |
| Orange, CA | 10.8 mi | $2,332 | $-178 (-7%) |
| Stanton, CA | 11 mi | $2,110 | $-400 (-16%) |
| Laguna Beach, CA | 11.7 mi | $3,020 | +$510 (+20%) |
| Anaheim, CA | 12.1 mi | $2,377 | $-133 (-5%) |
| Seal Beach, CA | 12.9 mi | $2,480 | $-30 (-1%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Costa Mesa — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Costa Mesa?
As of July 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Costa Mesa, California is $2,510 per month. This is +19% below the citywide median of $3,113.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Costa Mesa?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $100,400 ($8,367/month gross), which works out to roughly $48.27/hour at a full-time job.
Is Costa Mesa expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Costa Mesa's 1-bedroom median of $2,510 is +80% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 95th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Costa Mesa rank for 1-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 385 cities in California with 1-bedroom data, Costa Mesa ranks #276 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Costa Mesa?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Santa Ana ($2,118), Huntington Beach ($2,475), Westminster ($2,110).