Cost of Living in Metairie, LA

Population 138,995 · Louisiana · Data vintage 2023

96
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

The Metairie cost-of-living profile is closer to the US median than most headline-grabbing metros — typical homes around $309,000, rents near $1,159 a month.

Cost Overview

Housing 101
Rent 88

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Metairie

The median home value in Metairie is $308,900 — 1% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,159/month, 12% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $73,256/year is 2% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.4%, below the national average of 4.8%. Louisiana's top state income tax rate is 4.3% and the combined sales tax is 9.5%. The climate averages highs of 78.5°F and lows of 62.5°F. Overall, Metairie has a cost of living index of 96 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 4% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$308,900
1% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$319,798
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,159/mo
12% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,650/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
22.2x
Favors renting
Property Tax Rate
0.6%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$731
1 BR
$816
2 BR
$988
3 BR
$1,280
4 BR
$1,513
Owner-occupied 61.8%
Renter-occupied 38.2%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,159
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,773/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
23.5 min
13% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
10.2%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
76.1%
Carpooled
9.5%
Public transit
0.7%
Walked
2.4%
Bicycle
0.1%
Work from home
10.2%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 4.3%
Total Sales Tax 9.5%
State rate 4.5%
Avg local rate 5.1%
Property Tax 0.6%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$73,256
2% below avg
Per Capita Income
$45,419
Unemployment Rate
4.4%
9% below avg
Poverty Rate
12.7%
Labor Force Participation
64.3%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 24.9%
Graduate degree 15.0%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 41.5
Male median age 40.2
Female median age 43.6

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
78.5°F
Avg Low
62.5°F
Annual Precip
63.4"
Annual Snowfall
0"
40° 55° 70° 85° 100° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 636672798590919188817165
Low °F 465055626975777774645448
Precip" 5.184.134.365.225.647.626.796.915.113.703.874.82

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 51 — Moderate
49.7%
Good air days/yr
126
Max AQI recorded
215
PM2.5 days
147
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Metairie, LA?

Metairie has a cost index of 96 (100 = national average). It is 4% below the national average.

What is average rent in Metairie, LA?

The median gross rent in Metairie is $1,159 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Metairie?

The median home value in Metairie is $308,900 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Metairie?

The median household income in Metairie is $73,256 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Metairie, LA?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Metairie is 9.5%. The Louisiana state income tax top rate is 4.3%.

Is Metairie, LA affordable?

Metairie is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 96 (100 = US average).

What is the weather like in Metairie?

Metairie has average high temperatures of 78.5°F and average lows of 62.5°F. Annual precipitation is 63.4". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Metairie at a Glance

Population
138,995
Median Income
$73,256
Home Value
$308,900
Median Rent
$1,159/mo
Unemployment
4.4%
Avg High Temp
78.5°F
Sales Tax
9.5%
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Explore county-level cost of living data

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