Cost of Living: Metairie, LA vs East Los Angeles, CA (2026)

Metairie

Louisiana
88
VS

East Los Angeles

California
134

Metairie is 34% cheaper than East Los Angeles.

$1,159/mo ↓ 19%
Median Rent
$1,431/mo ↑ 23%
$73,256/yr ↑ 7%
Median Income
$68,378/yr ↓ 7%
$308,900 ↓ 50%
Home Value
$613,600 ↑ 99%
$1,186/mo ↓ 19%
Owner Costs
$1,458/mo ↑ 23%
138,995
Population
114,617

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

19.0%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Metairie, LA and East Los Angeles, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 88 and 134 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $272/month cheaper in Metairie, saving renters about $3,264/year.

Median household income is $4,878/year higher in Metairie. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Metairie is $308,900 compared to $613,600 in East Los Angeles.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Metairie vs East Los Angeles — common questions

Is Metairie or East Los Angeles cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Metairie is cheaper to live in with an index of 88 compared to 134 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Metairie and East Los Angeles?
Median rent in Metairie is $1,159/month and in East Los Angeles it's $1,431/month — a difference of $272/month.
Which city has higher income, Metairie or East Los Angeles?
Median household income is $73,256 in Metairie and $68,378 in East Los Angeles. Median household income is $4,878/year higher in Metairie.
How do taxes compare between Louisiana and California?
Louisiana has 4.25% income tax, 4.45% sales tax, and 0.55% property tax. California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to Metairie or East Los Angeles?
It depends on your priorities. Metairie has a cost index of 88 with median rent of $1,159/mo, while East Los Angeles has a cost index of 134 with rent of $1,431/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Metairie details → View East Los Angeles details →

More Comparisons

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