Cost of Living: Fresno, CA vs Metairie, LA (2026)

Fresno

California
101
VS

Metairie

Louisiana
88

Fresno is 15% more expensive than Metairie.

$1,324/mo ↑ 14%
Median Rent
$1,159/mo ↓ 12%
$66,804/yr ↓ 9%
Median Income
$73,256/yr ↑ 10%
$348,500 ↑ 13%
Home Value
$308,900 ↓ 11%
$1,391/mo ↑ 17%
Owner Costs
$1,186/mo ↓ 15%
543,615
Population
138,995

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
4.25%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
4.45%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.55%

Affordability

23.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
19.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Fresno, CA and Metairie, LA, the overall cost of living indices are 101 and 88 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $165/month cheaper in Metairie, saving renters about $1,980/year.

Median household income is $6,452/year higher in Metairie. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Fresno is $348,500 compared to $308,900 in Metairie.

Louisiana has a lower income tax rate, making Metairie slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fresno vs Metairie — common questions

Is Fresno or Metairie cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Metairie is cheaper to live in with an index of 88 compared to 101 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Fresno and Metairie?
Median rent in Fresno is $1,324/month and in Metairie it's $1,159/month — a difference of $165/month.
Which city has higher income, Fresno or Metairie?
Median household income is $66,804 in Fresno and $73,256 in Metairie. Median household income is $6,452/year higher in Metairie.
How do taxes compare between California and Louisiana?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Louisiana has 4.25% income tax, 4.45% sales tax, and 0.55% property tax.
Should I move to Fresno or Metairie?
It depends on your priorities. Fresno has a cost index of 101 with median rent of $1,324/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 Fresno details → View Metairie details →

More Comparisons

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