Studio Apartment Rent in Costa Mesa, CA
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Costa Mesa, California as of August 2026. That's +23% lower than the citywide median of $3,136 and +87% above the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio 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 studio 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 studio in California
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florin | $738 |
| 2 | Ridgecrest | $864 |
| 3 | Taft | $870 |
| 4 | Lakeport | $890 |
| 5 | El Centro | $910 |
| 6 | Barstow | $915 |
| 7 | Red Bluff | $930 |
| 8 | California City | $940 |
| 9 | Clearlake | $950 |
| 10 | Paradise | $970 |
| 11 | Eureka | $980 |
| 12 | Oroville | $985 |
| 13 | Fortuna | $990 |
| 14 | Florence-Graham | $1,029 |
| 15 | Porterville | $1,050 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in California
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Cruz | $3,520 |
| 2 | Scotts Valley | $3,420 |
| 3 | Aptos | $3,420 |
| 4 | Cupertino | $3,410 |
| 5 | Coronado | $3,190 |
| 6 | Ladera Ranch | $3,140 |
| 7 | Los Altos | $3,130 |
| 8 | Foster City | $3,130 |
| 9 | Newport Beach | $3,102 |
| 10 | Capitola | $3,100 |
| 11 | Sunnyvale | $3,010 |
| 12 | Santa Barbara | $3,000 |
| 13 | Irvine | $3,000 |
| 14 | Solana Beach | $2,970 |
| 15 | Saratoga | $2,910 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Costa Mesa.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Costa Mesa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fountain Valley, CA | 4.1 mi | $2,520 | +$110 (+5%) |
| Newport Beach, CA | 4.2 mi | $3,102 | +$692 (+29%) |
| Santa Ana, CA | 5.6 mi | $2,000 | $-410 (-17%) |
| Huntington Beach, CA | 7.1 mi | $2,373 | $-37 (-2%) |
| Westminster, CA | 8.2 mi | $1,980 | $-430 (-18%) |
| Irvine, CA | 9 mi | $3,000 | +$590 (+24%) |
| Tustin, CA | 9.2 mi | $2,490 | +$80 (+3%) |
| Orange, CA | 10.8 mi | $2,228 | $-182 (-8%) |
| Stanton, CA | 11 mi | $1,980 | $-430 (-18%) |
| Laguna Beach, CA | 11.7 mi | $2,890 | +$480 (+20%) |
| Anaheim, CA | 12.1 mi | $2,280 | $-130 (-5%) |
| Seal Beach, CA | 12.9 mi | $2,370 | $-40 (-2%) |
Studio rent in Costa Mesa — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Costa Mesa?
As of August 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Costa Mesa, California is $2,410 per month. This is +23% below the citywide median of $3,136.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Costa Mesa?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $96,400 ($8,033/month gross), which works out to roughly $46.35/hour at a full-time job.
Is Costa Mesa expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Costa Mesa's studio median of $2,410 is +87% above the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 96th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Costa Mesa rank for studio rent in California?
Among the 378 cities in California with studio data, Costa Mesa ranks #295 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Costa Mesa?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Santa Ana ($2,000), Huntington Beach ($2,373), Westminster ($1,980).