Cost of Living: Fort Lauderdale, FL vs Metairie, LA (2026)

Fort Lauderdale

Florida
132
VS

Metairie

Louisiana
88

Fort Lauderdale is 50% more expensive than Metairie.

$1,776/mo ↑ 53%
Median Rent
$1,159/mo ↓ 35%
$79,935/yr ↑ 9%
Median Income
$73,256/yr ↓ 8%
$455,600 ↑ 47%
Home Value
$308,900 ↓ 32%
$1,778/mo ↑ 50%
Owner Costs
$1,186/mo ↓ 33%
183,032
Population
138,995

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.25%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
4.45%
0.86%
Property Tax
0.55%

Affordability

26.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
19.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Fort Lauderdale, FL and Metairie, LA, the overall cost of living indices are 132 and 88 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $617/month cheaper in Metairie, saving renters about $7,404/year.

Median household income is $6,679/year higher in Fort Lauderdale. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Fort Lauderdale is $455,600 compared to $308,900 in Metairie.

Florida has no state income tax, giving Fort Lauderdale residents a significant tax advantage over Louisiana's 4.25% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fort Lauderdale vs Metairie — common questions

Is Fort Lauderdale or Metairie cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Metairie is cheaper to live in with an index of 88 compared to 132 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Fort Lauderdale and Metairie?
Median rent in Fort Lauderdale is $1,776/month and in Metairie it's $1,159/month — a difference of $617/month.
Which city has higher income, Fort Lauderdale or Metairie?
Median household income is $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale and $73,256 in Metairie. Median household income is $6,679/year higher in Fort Lauderdale.
How do taxes compare between Florida and Louisiana?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. Louisiana has 4.25% income tax, 4.45% sales tax, and 0.55% property tax.
Should I move to Fort Lauderdale or Metairie?
It depends on your priorities. Fort Lauderdale has a cost index of 132 with median rent of $1,776/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 Fort Lauderdale details → View Metairie details →

More Comparisons

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