Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Metairie, LA
VS
Pomona, CA
🏆 Metairie leads 17 of 22 categories
Metairie
Louisiana
17
wins
Cost of Living Index
91.1 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$72,070
Violent Crime Index
103⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
140,046
Pomona
California
5
wins
Cost of Living Index
115.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$73,515 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
188⚠ High
Population
149,831 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Metairie, LA
Pros
Homes cost $235k less ($289,800 vs $524,700)
46% less violent crime than Pomona
Rent averages $511/mo less ($1,120 vs $1,631)
24% cheaper overall cost of living than Pomona
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.2 pts lower (4.3%)
Commutes run 11 min shorter each way
Cons
Property crime (2629.4/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Pomona, CA
Pros
Milder winters — January highs near 68°F vs 63°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $524,700
Higher rents — median is $1,631/mo
Violent crime (715.9/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 24% higher than Metairie
Key Differences at a Glance
Metairie
Cost of Living
24% cheaper
COL index 91.1 vs 115.5 (100 = US avg)
Metairie
Violent Crime
46% lower
390.1 vs 715.9 per 100k
Metairie
Median Home Value
$235k less
$289,800 vs $524,700
Metairie
Unemployment
2.2 pp lower
4.3% vs 6.5% unemployment
Pomona
Median Income
$1,445
$73,515 vs $72,070/yr
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Metairie, LA | Pomona, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 91.1 ✓ Cheaper | 115.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $289,800 ✓ Lower | $524,700⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,120 ✓ Lower | $1,631⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $72,070 | $73,515 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.5%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 21.1 min ✓ Shorter | 32.1 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 8.4% ✓ Higher | 7.4% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 112⚠ High ✓ Safer | 165⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 103⚠ High ✓ Safer | 188⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 125⚠ High ✓ Safer | 131⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (102) ✓ Better | C (79) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.4:1 ✓ Smaller | 21.1:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 39.0% ✓ Higher | 18.2% |
| High School or Higher | 92.5% ✓ Higher | 72.4% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Jefferson Parish | Pomona Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 62.5°F | 67.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 91.4°F ✓ Warmer | 90.3°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 68.3" | 14.5" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 140,046 | 149,831 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 42.4 ✓ Older | 34.4 |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.8% ✓ Higher | 53.9% |
| Under 18 | 19.6% | 24.3% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 21.5% ✓ More | 12.2% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Metairie's cost of living index is 91.1 vs Pomona's 115.5 (US average = 100).
Metairie is 24% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Metairie leads 17 of 22 categories. Metairie wins 17 and Pomona wins 5. 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 Pomona or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($289,800 vs $524,700 median home), income ($72,070 vs $73,515), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Metairie, LA and Pomona, CA are about 1,635 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.