Cost of Living: St. Louis, MO vs Metairie, LA (2026)

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

Metairie

Louisiana
88

St. Louis is 25% cheaper than Metairie.

$978/mo ↓ 16%
Median Rent
$1,159/mo ↑ 19%
$55,279/yr ↓ 25%
Median Income
$73,256/yr ↑ 33%
$185,100 ↓ 40%
Home Value
$308,900 ↑ 67%
$1,013/mo ↓ 15%
Owner Costs
$1,186/mo ↑ 17%
293,109
Population
138,995

Tax Comparison

4.95%
Income Tax
4.25%
4.225%
State Sales Tax
4.45%
0.93%
Property Tax
0.55%

Affordability

21.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
19.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and Metairie, LA, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 88 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $181/month cheaper in St. Louis, saving renters about $2,172/year.

Median household income is $17,977/year higher in Metairie. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $308,900 in Metairie.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs Metairie — common questions

Is St. Louis or Metairie cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Louis is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 88 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Louis and Metairie?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in Metairie it's $1,159/month — a difference of $181/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or Metairie?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $73,256 in Metairie. Median household income is $17,977/year higher in Metairie.
How do taxes compare between Missouri and Louisiana?
Missouri has 4.95% income tax, 4.225% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax. Louisiana has 4.25% income tax, 4.45% sales tax, and 0.55% property tax.
Should I move to St. Louis or Metairie?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/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 St. Louis details → View Metairie details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for St. Louis and Metairie

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