Metairie, LA vs New Orleans, LA

Metairie, LA and New Orleans, LA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.6% difference in their overall index. Metairie scores 92 while New Orleans scores 93 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Metairie is $1,159/month compared to $1,211/month in New Orleans — a 4% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Metairie has cheaper rent, New Orleans actually has lower median home values ($296,400 vs $308,900).

Median household income in Metairie is $73,256 compared to $55,339 in New Orleans (+32.4%). Metairie offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Metairie spend roughly 19% of their income on rent, less than the 26.3% in New Orleans.