3-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Costa Mesa, CA
Median asking rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in Costa Mesa, California as of August 2026. That's +28% higher than the citywide median of $3,136 and +88% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130.
Income needed for a 3-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 3-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 3-bedroom in California
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ridgecrest | $1,538 |
| 2 | Taft | $1,600 |
| 3 | Barstow | $1,630 |
| 4 | Lakeport | $1,650 |
| 5 | Westmont | $1,663 |
| 6 | California City | $1,720 |
| 7 | Clearlake | $1,750 |
| 8 | Red Bluff | $1,780 |
| 9 | El Centro | $1,820 |
| 10 | Florence-Graham | $1,835 |
| 11 | Oroville | $1,840 |
| 12 | Paradise | $1,860 |
| 13 | Florin | $1,875 |
| 14 | Eureka | $1,910 |
| 15 | Porterville | $1,910 |
Most expensive cities for a 3-bedroom in California
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Cruz | $6,055 |
| 2 | Scotts Valley | $5,870 |
| 3 | Aptos | $5,870 |
| 4 | Cupertino | $5,850 |
| 5 | Coronado | $5,720 |
| 6 | Foster City | $5,690 |
| 7 | Los Altos | $5,380 |
| 8 | Capitola | $5,340 |
| 9 | Solana Beach | $5,330 |
| 10 | Tiburon | $5,250 |
| 11 | Ladera Ranch | $5,250 |
| 12 | Newport Beach | $5,178 |
| 13 | Sunnyvale | $5,173 |
| 14 | Millbrae | $5,080 |
| 15 | Santa Barbara | $5,050 |
Nearby cities — 3-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 3-bedroom rents than Costa Mesa.
| City | Distance | 3-Bedroom rent | vs Costa Mesa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fountain Valley, CA | 4.1 mi | $4,210 | +$195 (+5%) |
| Newport Beach, CA | 4.2 mi | $5,178 | +$1,163 (+29%) |
| Santa Ana, CA | 5.6 mi | $3,405 | $-610 (-15%) |
| Huntington Beach, CA | 7.1 mi | $3,960 | $-55 (-1%) |
| Westminster, CA | 8.2 mi | $3,400 | $-615 (-15%) |
| Irvine, CA | 9 mi | $5,014 | +$999 (+25%) |
| Tustin, CA | 9.2 mi | $4,160 | +$145 (+4%) |
| Orange, CA | 10.8 mi | $3,734 | $-281 (-7%) |
| Stanton, CA | 11 mi | $3,400 | $-615 (-15%) |
| Laguna Beach, CA | 11.7 mi | $4,830 | +$815 (+20%) |
| Anaheim, CA | 12.1 mi | $3,814 | $-201 (-5%) |
| Seal Beach, CA | 12.9 mi | $3,960 | $-55 (-1%) |
3-Bedroom rent in Costa Mesa — common questions
How much is a 3-bedroom apartment in Costa Mesa?
As of August 2026, the median 3-bedroom apartment rent in Costa Mesa, California is $4,015 per month. This is +28% higher than the citywide median of $3,136.
What income do you need to afford a 3-bedroom in Costa Mesa?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $160,600 ($13,383/month gross), which works out to roughly $77.21/hour at a full-time job.
Is Costa Mesa expensive for a 3-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Costa Mesa's 3-bedroom median of $4,015 is +88% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130. It ranks in the 96th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Costa Mesa rank for 3-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 380 cities in California with 3-bedroom data, Costa Mesa ranks #273 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 3-bedroom options near Costa Mesa?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 3-bedroom rents include Santa Ana ($3,405), Huntington Beach ($3,960), Westminster ($3,400).