Cost of Living: St. Petersburg, FL vs Metairie, LA (2026)

St. Petersburg

Florida
106
VS

Metairie

Louisiana
88

St. Petersburg is 20% more expensive than Metairie.

$1,542/mo ↑ 33%
Median Rent
$1,159/mo ↓ 25%
$73,118/yr ≈ Same
Median Income
$73,256/yr ≈ Same
$331,500 ↑ 7%
Home Value
$308,900 ↓ 7%
$1,435/mo ↑ 21%
Owner Costs
$1,186/mo ↓ 17%
260,646
Population
138,995

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.25%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
4.45%
0.86%
Property Tax
0.55%

Affordability

25.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
19.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Petersburg, FL and Metairie, LA, the overall cost of living indices are 106 and 88 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $383/month cheaper in Metairie, saving renters about $4,596/year.

Median household income is $138/year higher in Metairie. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Petersburg is $331,500 compared to $308,900 in Metairie.

Florida has no state income tax, giving St. Petersburg residents a significant tax advantage over Louisiana's 4.25% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Petersburg vs Metairie — common questions

Is St. Petersburg or Metairie cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Metairie is cheaper to live in with an index of 88 compared to 106 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Petersburg and Metairie?
Median rent in St. Petersburg is $1,542/month and in Metairie it's $1,159/month — a difference of $383/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Petersburg or Metairie?
Median household income is $73,118 in St. Petersburg and $73,256 in Metairie. Median household income is $138/year higher in Metairie.
How do taxes compare between Florida and Louisiana?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. Louisiana has 4.25% income tax, 4.45% sales tax, and 0.55% property tax.
Should I move to St. Petersburg or Metairie?
It depends on your priorities. St. Petersburg has a cost index of 106 with median rent of $1,542/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. Petersburg details → View Metairie details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for St. Petersburg and Metairie

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