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

Huntington Beach

California
227
VS

Metairie

Louisiana
88

Huntington Beach is 158% more expensive than Metairie.

$2,424/mo ↑ 109%
Median Rent
$1,159/mo ↓ 52%
$119,885/yr ↑ 64%
Median Income
$73,256/yr ↓ 39%
$1,047,300 ↑ 239%
Home Value
$308,900 ↓ 71%
$2,436/mo ↑ 105%
Owner Costs
$1,186/mo ↓ 51%
196,010
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

24.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
19.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Huntington Beach, CA and Metairie, LA, the overall cost of living indices are 227 and 88 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,265/month cheaper in Metairie, saving renters about $15,180/year.

Median household income is $46,629/year higher in Huntington Beach. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Huntington Beach is $1,047,300 compared to $308,900 in Metairie.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Huntington Beach vs Metairie — common questions

Is Huntington Beach or Metairie cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Metairie is cheaper to live in with an index of 88 compared to 227 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Huntington Beach and Metairie?
Median rent in Huntington Beach is $2,424/month and in Metairie it's $1,159/month — a difference of $1,265/month.
Which city has higher income, Huntington Beach or Metairie?
Median household income is $119,885 in Huntington Beach and $73,256 in Metairie. Median household income is $46,629/year higher in Huntington Beach.
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 Huntington Beach or Metairie?
It depends on your priorities. Huntington Beach has a cost index of 227 with median rent of $2,424/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 Huntington Beach details → View Metairie details →

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