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

Irvine

California
256
VS

Metairie

Louisiana
88

Irvine is 191% more expensive than Metairie.

$2,893/mo ↑ 150%
Median Rent
$1,159/mo ↓ 60%
$129,647/yr ↑ 77%
Median Income
$73,256/yr ↓ 43%
$1,115,400 ↑ 261%
Home Value
$308,900 ↓ 72%
$2,904/mo ↑ 145%
Owner Costs
$1,186/mo ↓ 59%
308,160
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

26.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
19.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Irvine, CA and Metairie, LA, the overall cost of living indices are 256 and 88 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,734/month cheaper in Metairie, saving renters about $20,808/year.

Median household income is $56,391/year higher in Irvine. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Irvine is $1,115,400 compared to $308,900 in Metairie.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Irvine vs Metairie — common questions

Is Irvine or Metairie cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Metairie is cheaper to live in with an index of 88 compared to 256 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Irvine and Metairie?
Median rent in Irvine is $2,893/month and in Metairie it's $1,159/month — a difference of $1,734/month.
Which city has higher income, Irvine or Metairie?
Median household income is $129,647 in Irvine and $73,256 in Metairie. Median household income is $56,391/year higher in Irvine.
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 Irvine or Metairie?
It depends on your priorities. Irvine has a cost index of 256 with median rent of $2,893/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 Irvine details → View Metairie details →

More Comparisons

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