Cost of Living: El Paso, TX vs Metairie, LA (2026)

El Paso

Texas
67
VS

Metairie

Louisiana
88

El Paso is 24% cheaper than Metairie.

$1,041/mo ↓ 10%
Median Rent
$1,159/mo ↑ 11%
$58,734/yr ↓ 20%
Median Income
$73,256/yr ↑ 25%
$171,700 ↓ 44%
Home Value
$308,900 ↑ 80%
$1,044/mo ↓ 12%
Owner Costs
$1,186/mo ↑ 14%
678,147
Population
138,995

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.25%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
4.45%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.55%

Affordability

21.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
19.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing El Paso, TX and Metairie, LA, the overall cost of living indices are 67 and 88 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $118/month cheaper in El Paso, saving renters about $1,416/year.

Median household income is $14,522/year higher in Metairie. Home values also differ significantly — the median in El Paso is $171,700 compared to $308,900 in Metairie.

Texas has no state income tax, giving El Paso residents a significant tax advantage over Louisiana's 4.25% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

El Paso vs Metairie — common questions

Is El Paso or Metairie cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, El Paso is cheaper to live in with an index of 67 compared to 88 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between El Paso and Metairie?
Median rent in El Paso is $1,041/month and in Metairie it's $1,159/month — a difference of $118/month.
Which city has higher income, El Paso or Metairie?
Median household income is $58,734 in El Paso and $73,256 in Metairie. Median household income is $14,522/year higher in Metairie.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Louisiana?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Louisiana has 4.25% income tax, 4.45% sales tax, and 0.55% property tax.
Should I move to El Paso or Metairie?
It depends on your priorities. El Paso has a cost index of 67 with median rent of $1,041/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 El Paso details → View Metairie details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for El Paso and Metairie

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