salaryMetairie is the 4th-largest city in Louisiana that we track, with 139,729 residents. Rent is lower than in 78% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 4.2 years of household income.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $46,680 a year. That is $22 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Louisiana cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Louisiana. It is number 53 of 102 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Metairie?
Share of households by yearly income. 27.5% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Metairie
| Size | Metairie | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $954 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,051 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,306 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,834 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,832 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Metairie overall?
Everyday prices in the New Orleans-Metairie metro area are 7% below the U.S. average (index 92.6, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Metairie
Life in Metairie
What jobs pay in Metairie
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $128,100 | 10.9% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $124,800 | 11.2% |
| Physician Assistant | $124,580 | 11.2% |
| Lawyer | $121,290 | 11.5% |
| Civil Engineer | $108,240 | 12.9% |
| Software Developer | $106,950 | 13.1% |
| Operations Manager | $105,110 | 13.3% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $97,240 | 14.4% |
| Dental Hygienist | $93,650 | 15.0% |
| Registered Nurse | $81,850 | 17.1% |
| Accountant | $77,940 | 18.0% |
| Market Research Analyst | $65,590 | 21.4% |
| HVAC Technician | $63,500 | 22.1% |
| Electrician | $62,490 | 22.4% |
| Plumber | $62,450 | 22.4% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $60,640 | 23.1% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $60,350 | 23.2% |
| Truck Driver | $51,540 | 27.2% |
| Carpenter | $50,130 | 27.9% |
| Police Officer | $48,970 | 28.6% |
| Customer Service Representative | $39,300 | 35.6% |
| Firefighter | $37,250 | 37.6% |
| Medical Assistant | $36,780 | 38.1% |
| Warehouse Worker | $36,380 | 38.5% |
| Nursing Assistant | $34,320 | 40.8% |
| Restaurant Cook | $30,520 | 45.9% |
| Retail Salesperson | $30,400 | 46.1% |
| Cashier | $28,370 | 49.4% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $16,640 | 84.2% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Metairie?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,105 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $327,500 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $32,750 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Metairie, LA?
Renting in Metairie costs a median of about $1,167 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Louisiana median is $1,165.
How much do I need to make to live in Metairie?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $46,680 a year, or $22 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Metairie cheap or expensive?
Metairie is rated Cheap: rent takes 17.8% of the typical household income of $78,776. It ranks 53rd cheapest of 102 Louisiana cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Metairie?
The median homeowner in Metairie pays $1,814 a year in property taxes, about 0.55% of the median home value.
Is Metairie more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 7% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Metairie?
The median home value in Metairie is $327,500, about 4.2 times the typical yearly household income.
139,729 people live in Metairie. Numbers are typical (middle) values.