Cost of Living: St. Paul, MN vs Metairie, LA (2026)

St. Paul

Minnesota
91
VS

Metairie

Louisiana
88

St. Paul is 3% more expensive than Metairie.

$1,248/mo ↑ 8%
Median Rent
$1,159/mo ↓ 7%
$73,055/yr ≈ Same
Median Income
$73,256/yr ≈ Same
$280,300 ↓ 9%
Home Value
$308,900 ↑ 10%
$1,390/mo ↑ 17%
Owner Costs
$1,186/mo ↓ 15%
307,762
Population
138,995

Tax Comparison

9.85%
Income Tax
4.25%
6.875%
State Sales Tax
4.45%
1.11%
Property Tax
0.55%

Affordability

20.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
19.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Paul, MN and Metairie, LA, the overall cost of living indices are 91 and 88 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $89/month cheaper in Metairie, saving renters about $1,068/year.

Median household income is $201/year higher in Metairie. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Paul is $280,300 compared to $308,900 in Metairie.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Paul vs Metairie — common questions

Is St. Paul or Metairie cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Metairie is cheaper to live in with an index of 88 compared to 91 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Paul and Metairie?
Median rent in St. Paul is $1,248/month and in Metairie it's $1,159/month — a difference of $89/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Paul or Metairie?
Median household income is $73,055 in St. Paul and $73,256 in Metairie. Median household income is $201/year higher in Metairie.
How do taxes compare between Minnesota and Louisiana?
Minnesota has 9.85% income tax, 6.875% sales tax, and 1.11% property tax. Louisiana has 4.25% income tax, 4.45% sales tax, and 0.55% property tax.
Should I move to St. Paul or Metairie?
It depends on your priorities. St. Paul has a cost index of 91 with median rent of $1,248/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. Paul details → View Metairie details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for St. Paul and Metairie

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