Cost of Living: Tampa, FL vs Metairie, LA (2026)

Tampa

Florida
113
VS

Metairie

Louisiana
88

Tampa is 28% more expensive than Metairie.

$1,567/mo ↑ 35%
Median Rent
$1,159/mo ↓ 26%
$71,302/yr ↓ 3%
Median Income
$73,256/yr ↑ 3%
$375,300 ↑ 21%
Home Value
$308,900 ↓ 18%
$1,553/mo ↑ 31%
Owner Costs
$1,186/mo ↓ 24%
393,389
Population
138,995

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

26.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
19.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Tampa, FL and Metairie, LA, the overall cost of living indices are 113 and 88 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $408/month cheaper in Metairie, saving renters about $4,896/year.

Median household income is $1,954/year higher in Metairie. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Tampa is $375,300 compared to $308,900 in Metairie.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Tampa vs Metairie — common questions

Is Tampa or Metairie cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Metairie is cheaper to live in with an index of 88 compared to 113 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Tampa and Metairie?
Median rent in Tampa is $1,567/month and in Metairie it's $1,159/month — a difference of $408/month.
Which city has higher income, Tampa or Metairie?
Median household income is $71,302 in Tampa and $73,256 in Metairie. Median household income is $1,954/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 Tampa or Metairie?
It depends on your priorities. Tampa has a cost index of 113 with median rent of $1,567/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 Tampa details → View Metairie details →

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