[Brando]

There's tustin, somehwat affordable ~$1000/mo.
Santa Ana, definitely below and above $1000/mo.
Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, around $1000/mo.

Irvine and Newport will start $1200 and up real fast. More like $1500 and up.
You can rent a room in a house, Costa Mesa, Newport Mesa are not too bad. OC has higher cost of living overall. Just don't decide to rent someplace north of the 5 or too far down the 405 - you will spend a good deal of time in traffic if you work normal hours.