Cost of Living: Lincoln, NE vs Metairie, LA (2026)

Lincoln

Nebraska
77
VS

Metairie

Louisiana
88

Lincoln is 12% cheaper than Metairie.

$1,045/mo ↓ 10%
Median Rent
$1,159/mo ↑ 11%
$69,991/yr ↓ 4%
Median Income
$73,256/yr ↑ 5%
$248,200 ↓ 20%
Home Value
$308,900 ↑ 24%
$1,140/mo ↓ 4%
Owner Costs
$1,186/mo ↑ 4%
291,932
Population
138,995

Tax Comparison

6.64%
Income Tax
4.25%
5.5%
State Sales Tax
4.45%
1.73%
Property Tax
0.55%

Affordability

17.9%
rent-to-income
Affordability
19.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Lincoln, NE and Metairie, LA, the overall cost of living indices are 77 and 88 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $114/month cheaper in Lincoln, saving renters about $1,368/year.

Median household income is $3,265/year higher in Metairie. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Lincoln is $248,200 compared to $308,900 in Metairie.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Lincoln vs Metairie — common questions

Is Lincoln or Metairie cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Lincoln is cheaper to live in with an index of 77 compared to 88 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Lincoln and Metairie?
Median rent in Lincoln is $1,045/month and in Metairie it's $1,159/month — a difference of $114/month.
Which city has higher income, Lincoln or Metairie?
Median household income is $69,991 in Lincoln and $73,256 in Metairie. Median household income is $3,265/year higher in Metairie.
How do taxes compare between Nebraska and Louisiana?
Nebraska has 6.64% income tax, 5.5% sales tax, and 1.73% property tax. Louisiana has 4.25% income tax, 4.45% sales tax, and 0.55% property tax.
Should I move to Lincoln or Metairie?
It depends on your priorities. Lincoln has a cost index of 77 with median rent of $1,045/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 Lincoln details → View Metairie details →

More Comparisons

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