Cost of Living: Bellevue, WA vs Metairie, LA (2026)

Bellevue

Washington
250
VS

Metairie

Louisiana
88

Bellevue is 184% more expensive than Metairie.

$2,505/mo ↑ 116%
Median Rent
$1,159/mo ↓ 54%
$161,300/yr ↑ 120%
Median Income
$73,256/yr ↓ 55%
$1,203,100 ↑ 289%
Home Value
$308,900 ↓ 74%
$2,586/mo ↑ 118%
Owner Costs
$1,186/mo ↓ 54%
151,199
Population
138,995

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.25%
6.5%
State Sales Tax
4.45%
0.92%
Property Tax
0.55%

Affordability

18.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
19.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Bellevue, WA and Metairie, LA, the overall cost of living indices are 250 and 88 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,346/month cheaper in Metairie, saving renters about $16,152/year.

Median household income is $88,044/year higher in Bellevue. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Bellevue is $1,203,100 compared to $308,900 in Metairie.

Washington has no state income tax, giving Bellevue residents a significant tax advantage over Louisiana's 4.25% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bellevue vs Metairie — common questions

Is Bellevue or Metairie cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Metairie is cheaper to live in with an index of 88 compared to 250 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Bellevue and Metairie?
Median rent in Bellevue is $2,505/month and in Metairie it's $1,159/month — a difference of $1,346/month.
Which city has higher income, Bellevue or Metairie?
Median household income is $161,300 in Bellevue and $73,256 in Metairie. Median household income is $88,044/year higher in Bellevue.
How do taxes compare between Washington and Louisiana?
Washington has 0% income tax, 6.5% sales tax, and 0.92% property tax. Louisiana has 4.25% income tax, 4.45% sales tax, and 0.55% property tax.
Should I move to Bellevue or Metairie?
It depends on your priorities. Bellevue has a cost index of 250 with median rent of $2,505/mo, while Metairie has a cost index of 88 with rent of $1,159/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Bellevue details → View Metairie details →

More Comparisons

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