Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Denton, TX
VS
Metairie, LA
🏆 Metairie leads 13 of 23 categories
Denton
Texas
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.3⚠ High
Median Household Income
$71,921
Violent Crime Index
54 ✓ Safer
Population
142,262 ✓ Larger
Metairie
Louisiana
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
91.1 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$72,070 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
103⚠ High
Population
140,046
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Denton, TX
Pros
48% less violent crime than Metairie
Violent crime is well below the national average (204.2 vs 380/100k)
Cons
Cost of living runs 12% higher than Metairie
Metairie, LA
Pros
12% cheaper overall cost of living than Denton
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.5 pts lower (4.3%)
Rent averages $144/mo less ($1,120 vs $1,264)
Commutes run 4 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
Property crime (2629.4/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Denton
Violent Crime
48% lower
204.2 vs 390.1 per 100k
Denton
Summer Heat
4.5°F warmer
July avg high 95.9°F vs 91.4°F
Metairie
Cost of Living
12% cheaper
COL index 91.1 vs 103.3 (100 = US avg)
Metairie
Unemployment
0.5 pp lower
4.3% vs 4.8% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Denton, TX | Metairie, LA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 103.3⚠ High | 91.1 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $296,100 | $289,800 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,264 | $1,120 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $71,921 | $72,070 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8%⚠ High | 4.3%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 24.7 min | 21.1 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 10.6% ✓ Higher | 8.4% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 65 ✓ Safer | 112⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 54 ✓ Safer | 103⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 83 ✓ Safer | 125⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (115) ✓ Better | B (102) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.8:1 ✓ Smaller | 14.4:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 40.0% ✓ Higher | 39.0% |
| High School or Higher | 91.5% | 92.5% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | DENTON ISD | Jefferson Parish |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 55.8°F | 62.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 95.9°F ✓ Warmer | 91.4°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 38.4" ✓ Drier | 68.3" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.1" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 142,262 ✓ Larger | 140,046 |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 42.4 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 62.8% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 18.5% | 19.6% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.2% | 21.5% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Denton'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 23 decided categories above, Metairie leads 13 of 23 categories. Denton wins 10 and Metairie wins 13. 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 Denton to Metairie or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($296,100 vs $289,800 median home), income ($71,921 vs $72,070), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Denton, TX and Metairie, LA are about 466 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.