Cost of Living: Nashville, TN vs Metairie, LA (2026)

Nashville

Tennessee
110
VS

Metairie

Louisiana
88

Nashville is 25% more expensive than Metairie.

$1,486/mo ↑ 28%
Median Rent
$1,159/mo ↓ 22%
$75,197/yr ↑ 3%
Median Income
$73,256/yr ↓ 3%
$383,100 ↑ 24%
Home Value
$308,900 ↓ 19%
$1,471/mo ↑ 24%
Owner Costs
$1,186/mo ↓ 19%
684,298
Population
138,995

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.25%
7.0%
State Sales Tax
4.45%
0.64%
Property Tax
0.55%

Affordability

23.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
19.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Nashville, TN and Metairie, LA, the overall cost of living indices are 110 and 88 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $327/month cheaper in Metairie, saving renters about $3,924/year.

Median household income is $1,941/year higher in Nashville. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Nashville is $383,100 compared to $308,900 in Metairie.

Tennessee has no state income tax, giving Nashville residents a significant tax advantage over Louisiana's 4.25% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Nashville vs Metairie — common questions

Is Nashville or Metairie cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Metairie is cheaper to live in with an index of 88 compared to 110 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Nashville and Metairie?
Median rent in Nashville is $1,486/month and in Metairie it's $1,159/month — a difference of $327/month.
Which city has higher income, Nashville or Metairie?
Median household income is $75,197 in Nashville and $73,256 in Metairie. Median household income is $1,941/year higher in Nashville.
How do taxes compare between Tennessee and Louisiana?
Tennessee has 0% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.64% property tax. Louisiana has 4.25% income tax, 4.45% sales tax, and 0.55% property tax.
Should I move to Nashville or Metairie?
It depends on your priorities. Nashville has a cost index of 110 with median rent of $1,486/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 Nashville details → View Metairie details →

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