Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Metairie, LA
VS
Miami, FL
🏆 Metairie leads 18 of 22 categories
Metairie
Louisiana
18
wins
Cost of Living Index
91.1 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$72,070 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
103⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
140,046
Miami
Florida
4
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.8⚠ High
Median Household Income
$54,858
Violent Crime Index
125⚠ High
Population
443,665 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Metairie, LA
Pros
Homes cost $144k less ($289,800 vs $433,900)
Rent averages $374/mo less ($1,120 vs $1,494)
18% less violent crime than Miami
Households earn $17,212 more per year on average
21% cheaper overall cost of living than Miami
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
Cons
Property crime (2629.4/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Miami, FL
Pros
Milder winters — January highs near 74°F vs 63°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $433,900
Higher rents — median is $1,494/mo
Violent crime (473.3/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Metairie by $17,212/yr
Key Differences at a Glance
Metairie
Cost of Living
21% cheaper
COL index 91.1 vs 111.8 (100 = US avg)
Metairie
Median Income
$17,212
$72,070 vs $54,858/yr
Metairie
Violent Crime
18% lower
390.1 vs 473.3 per 100k
Metairie
Median Home Value
$144k less
$289,800 vs $433,900
Metairie
Unemployment
0.7 pp lower
4.3% vs 5.0% unemployment
Metairie
Summer Heat
3.6°F warmer
July avg high 91.4°F vs 87.8°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Metairie, LA | Miami, FL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 91.1 ✓ Cheaper | 111.8⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $289,800 ✓ Lower | $433,900⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,120 ✓ Lower | $1,494⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $72,070 ✓ Higher | $54,858 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 5.0%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 21.1 min ✓ Shorter | 28.2 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 8.4% | 11.9% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 112⚠ High ✓ Safer | 132⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 103⚠ High ✓ Safer | 125⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 125⚠ High ✓ Safer | 143⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (102) ✓ Better | B- (96) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.4:1 ✓ Smaller | 19.4:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 39.0% ✓ Higher | 34.2% |
| High School or Higher | 92.5% ✓ Higher | 78.8% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Jefferson Parish | MIAMI-DADE |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 62.5°F | 73.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 91.4°F ✓ Warmer | 87.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 68.3" | 57.2" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 140,046 | 443,665 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 42.4 ✓ Older | 39.7 |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.8% ✓ Higher | 30.1% |
| Under 18 | 19.6% ✓ More | 16.5% |
| Over 65 | 21.5% ✓ More | 16.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Metairie's cost of living index is 91.1 vs Miami's 111.8 (US average = 100).
Metairie is 21% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Metairie leads 18 of 22 categories. Metairie wins 18 and Miami wins 4. 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 Metairie to Miami or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($289,800 vs $433,900 median home), income ($72,070 vs $54,858), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Metairie, LA and Miami, FL are about 675 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.