2-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Costa Mesa, CA
Median asking rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in Costa Mesa, California as of July 2026. That's +5% lower than the citywide median of $3,113 and +79% above the national 2-bedroom median of $1,655.
Income needed for a 2-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 2-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 2-bedroom in California
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ridgecrest | $1,107 |
| 2 | Taft | $1,140 |
| 3 | Lakeport | $1,180 |
| 4 | Barstow | $1,216 |
| 5 | California City | $1,230 |
| 6 | Clearlake | $1,250 |
| 7 | Oroville | $1,305 |
| 8 | El Centro | $1,330 |
| 9 | Paradise | $1,330 |
| 10 | Red Bluff | $1,350 |
| 11 | Eureka | $1,360 |
| 12 | Shafter | $1,380 |
| 13 | Porterville | $1,390 |
| 14 | Hanford | $1,400 |
| 15 | Tehachapi | $1,440 |
Most expensive cities for a 2-bedroom in California
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Cruz | $4,865 |
| 2 | Scotts Valley | $4,720 |
| 3 | Aptos | $4,720 |
| 4 | Foster City | $4,560 |
| 5 | Cupertino | $4,500 |
| 6 | Capitola | $4,290 |
| 7 | Coronado | $4,280 |
| 8 | Tiburon | $4,210 |
| 9 | Los Altos | $4,170 |
| 10 | Millbrae | $4,070 |
| 11 | Corte Madera | $4,040 |
| 12 | Solana Beach | $3,990 |
| 13 | Sunnyvale | $3,980 |
| 14 | Topanga | $3,940 |
| 15 | Rancho Palos Verdes | $3,940 |
Nearby cities — 2-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 2-bedroom rents than Costa Mesa.
| City | Distance | 2-Bedroom rent | vs Costa Mesa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fountain Valley, CA | 4.1 mi | $3,110 | +$140 (+5%) |
| Newport Beach, CA | 4.2 mi | $3,828 | +$858 (+29%) |
| Santa Ana, CA | 5.6 mi | $2,515 | $-455 (-15%) |
| Huntington Beach, CA | 7.1 mi | $2,928 | $-42 (-1%) |
| Westminster, CA | 8.2 mi | $2,510 | $-460 (-15%) |
| Irvine, CA | 9 mi | $3,704 | +$734 (+25%) |
| Tustin, CA | 9.2 mi | $3,075 | +$105 (+4%) |
| Orange, CA | 10.8 mi | $2,760 | $-210 (-7%) |
| Stanton, CA | 11 mi | $2,510 | $-460 (-15%) |
| Laguna Beach, CA | 11.7 mi | $3,570 | +$600 (+20%) |
| Anaheim, CA | 12.1 mi | $2,819 | $-151 (-5%) |
| Seal Beach, CA | 12.9 mi | $2,930 | $-40 (-1%) |
2-Bedroom rent in Costa Mesa — common questions
How much is a 2-bedroom apartment in Costa Mesa?
As of July 2026, the median 2-bedroom apartment rent in Costa Mesa, California is $2,970 per month. This is +5% below the citywide median of $3,113.
What income do you need to afford a 2-bedroom in Costa Mesa?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $118,800 ($9,900/month gross), which works out to roughly $57.12/hour at a full-time job.
Is Costa Mesa expensive for a 2-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Costa Mesa's 2-bedroom median of $2,970 is +79% above the national 2-bedroom median of $1,655. It ranks in the 94th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Costa Mesa rank for 2-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 386 cities in California with 2-bedroom data, Costa Mesa ranks #257 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 2-bedroom options near Costa Mesa?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 2-bedroom rents include Santa Ana ($2,515), Huntington Beach ($2,928), Westminster ($2,510).