Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Allen, TX
VS
Metairie, LA
🏆 Allen leads 12 of 22 categories
Allen
Texas
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.3⚠ High
Median Household Income
$121,259 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
28 ✓ Safer
Population
105,444
Metairie
Louisiana
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
91.1 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$72,070
Violent Crime Index
103⚠ High
Population
140,046 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Allen, TX
Pros
Households earn $49,189 more per year on average
73% less violent crime than Metairie
Violent crime is well below the national average (106.4 vs 380/100k)
More college-educated — 55.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,747/mo
Pricier housing — median home is $390,200
Cost of living runs 12% higher than Metairie
Metairie, LA
Pros
Rent averages $627/mo less ($1,120 vs $1,747)
Homes cost $100k less ($289,800 vs $390,200)
12% cheaper overall cost of living than Allen
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 91.1)
Milder winters — January highs near 63°F vs 56°F
Cons
Median income trails Allen by $49,189/yr
Property crime (2629.4/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Allen
Median Income
$49,189
$121,259 vs $72,070/yr
Allen
Violent Crime
73% lower
106.4 vs 390.1 per 100k
Allen
Summer Heat
3.6°F warmer
July avg high 95.0°F vs 91.4°F
Metairie
Cost of Living
12% cheaper
COL index 91.1 vs 103.3 (100 = US avg)
Metairie
Median Home Value
$100k less
$289,800 vs $390,200
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Allen, TX | Metairie, LA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 103.3⚠ High | 91.1 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $390,200⚠ High | $289,800 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,747⚠ High | $1,120 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $121,259 ✓ Higher | $72,070 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3%⚠ High | 4.3%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 27.0 min | 21.1 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 21.4% ✓ Higher | 8.4% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 34 ✓ Safer | 112⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 28 ✓ Safer | 103⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 42 ✓ Safer | 125⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (125) ✓ Better | B (102) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.2:1 | 14.4:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 55.2% ✓ Higher | 39.0% |
| High School or Higher | 95.8% ✓ Higher | 92.5% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | ALLEN ISD | Jefferson Parish |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 55.5°F | 62.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 95.0°F ✓ Warmer | 91.4°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 40.8" ✓ Drier | 68.3" |
| Annual Snowfall | 2.6" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 105,444 | 140,046 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 42.4 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 70.9% ✓ Higher | 62.8% |
| Under 18 | 25.9% ✓ More | 19.6% |
| Over 65 | 10.4% | 21.5% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Allen's cost of living index is 103.3 vs Metairie's 91.1 (US average = 100).
Metairie is 12% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Allen leads 12 of 22 categories. Allen wins 12 and Metairie wins 10. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Allen to Metairie or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($390,200 vs $289,800 median home), income ($121,259 vs $72,070), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Allen, TX and Metairie, LA are about 439 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.