C+
5%
Overall NAT. AVG.
3%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
24%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Search Homes for Sale
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Metairie Louisiana National
Cost of living10591100
Goods & Services10396100
Groceries9695100
Health care11499100
Housing12481100
Transportation9296100
Utilities7884100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Metairie, LA

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Metairie is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Metairie is 105, which is 5% higher than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.

The cost of living in Metairie aligns closely with the national average when compared to other cities across the nation. Everyday essentials such as groceries, goods and services, health care and utility bills are priced at a level consistent with the average in similar urban areas. Metairie residents can anticipate that their daily expenses won't be significantly higher than those in an average city, ensuring that the cost of living remains manageable.

Housing costs significantly influence the Metairie cost of living index, typically accounting for a substantial portion of one's post-tax income. Regrettably, within this particular region, expenses related to both residential ownership and renting exceeded those observed in an average city by 24.4%. This entails elements such as housing and rental prices, mortgage interest rates and insurance costs.

Is Metairie Affordable?

Is Metairie affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Metairie, for instance, where the median home price falls 33.9% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 2.1% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Metairie flaunting a median household income of $60,355, 9.1% higher than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Metairie?

Housing: High demand for housing in desirable locations can drive up property prices and rental rates. This can be a primary contributor to a higher cost of living. While low demand for housing, especially in undesirable locations, can have the reverse effect and drive prices down, resulting in a lower cost of living. The housing index in Metairie, is 24.4% higher than the national average.

Utilities: Like everything else, utilities costs can range significantly depending on factors like climate, energy sources available, location and even state regulations. Things like electricity, water, heating and waste disposal costs can be higher or lower, depending on the city or state. The utilities index in Metairie comes in at 22.4% lower than the national average.

Groceries: Grocery expenditures have undergone notable escalation over the last 2-3 years. In some markets, the cost of food products has surged by more than 20%, while others have experienced only modest increments. These fluctuations in food costs can have a significant impact on the overall cost of living in any region. In Metairie, the groceries index registers 4.4% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Metairie cost of living data displayed above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index to provide a useful and reasonably accurate measure of living cost differences in urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, it compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services. These items have been meticulously selected to represent various consumer expenditure categories, in 6 categories. Weightings assigned to cost differentials draw from government survey data tracking spending patterns among professional and executive households. While the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.

New Real Estate Listings in Metairie Area
Search Homes for Sale in Metairie, LA

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Metairie is 16% higher than the Louisiana average
  • The cost of living in Metairie is 5% higher than the national average
  • Metairie housing is 24% higher than the national average
  • Louisiana general sales tax is 13% lower than the national average
  • Louisiana state income tax is 29% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Metairie

See all the best places to live around Metairie

Compare Metairie, LA Cost of Living

      vs
      How would you rate the cost of living in Metairie?
      Write a review to give others more information about this area.
      Is the cost of living increasing or decreasing in Metairie?
      Write a review to give others more information about this area.
      See all Metairie poll results

      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$78,891$6,574$1,841$2,367
      Renters$38,951$3,246$909$1,169
      The percentage of monthly income spent on housing related expenses can help predict the affordability of housing in Metairie, LA, as well as what the overall cost of living might be. Generally, a good rule to follow is that the debt-to-income (DTI) level you want to maintain is 28 percent or less of your income on your rent or mortgage payments and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses and debts. In Metairie, homeowners have a median income of $78,891. Using that number, a maximum of $1,841 per month should be allocated to housing expenses. For those who are renting instead of owning, the median income is $38,951, which means there is a maximum of $909 to be spent on the costs of renting a home or apartment.

      Louisiana Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Louisiana 4.45% 11.45%

      Louisiana Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Louisiana 1.85% 4.25%

      Goods & Services

      Item Metairie National avg. Difference
      Haircut $21.67$24.2610.7%
      Beauty Salon $43.17$45.565.3%
      Toothpaste $3.57$3.703.6%
      Shampoo $1.22$1.284.5%
      Movie $13.30$12.139.6%
      Bowling $12.33$18.0031.5%

      Groceries

      Item Metairie National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.15$5.845.3%
      Fried Chicken $1.39$1.5711.6%
      Milk $4.55$4.672.5%
      Potatoes $5.31$4.937.5%
      Pizza $12.61$12.094.3%
      Beer $10.23$10.411.7%

      Health Care

      Item Metairie National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $128.17$125.682.0%
      Doctor $127.78$135.785.9%
      Dentist $129.44$113.2914.3%
      Ibuprofen $10.46$10.651.8%
      Lipitor $482.03$468.602.9%

      Housing

      Item Metairie National avg. Difference
      Home Price $247,300.00$184,700.0033.9%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,882.94$2,346.6919.8%
      Apartment Rent $969.00$949.002.1%

      Transportation

      Item Metairie National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.14$3.469.2%
      Tire Balancing $68.00$59.9213.5%

      Utilities

      Item Metairie National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $149.86$193.9922.8%
      Phone $186.90$192.252.8%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Pleasure Bend, LA3008416.1%
      Bridge City, LA6,4098811.6%
      New Sarpy, LA1,2659010.4%
      Avondale, LA4,8899010.3%
      Westwego, LA8,411909.7%
      Metairie, LA138,5111055.1%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Ajax, ON138,303n/a 
      Trois-Rivières, QC138,766n/a 
      Roseville, CA138,86014847.8%
      Surprise, AZ139,00711514.8%
      Olathe, KS139,2161054.8%
      Metairie, LA138,5111055.1%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.