Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Metairie, LA
VS
Reno, NV
🏆 Metairie leads 15 of 23 categories
Metairie
Louisiana
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
91.1 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$72,070
Violent Crime Index
103⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
140,046
Reno
Nevada
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.8⚠ High
Median Household Income
$73,073 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
139⚠ High
Population
265,196 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Metairie, LA
Pros
Homes cost $172k less ($289,800 vs $462,100)
26% less violent crime than Reno
Rent averages $240/mo less ($1,120 vs $1,360)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.7 pts lower (4.3%)
12% cheaper overall cost of living than Reno
Milder winters — January highs near 63°F vs 46°F
Cons
Property crime (2629.4/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Reno, NV
Pros
Nothing stands out — a close match here.
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $462,100
Violent crime (529.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher rents — median is $1,360/mo
Cost of living runs 12% higher than Metairie
Key Differences at a Glance
Metairie
Cost of Living
12% cheaper
COL index 91.1 vs 102.8 (100 = US avg)
Metairie
Violent Crime
26% lower
390.1 vs 529.6 per 100k
Metairie
Median Home Value
$172k less
$289,800 vs $462,100
Metairie
Unemployment
0.7 pp lower
4.3% vs 5.0% unemployment
Reno
Median Income
$1,003
$73,073 vs $72,070/yr
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Metairie, LA | Reno, NV |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 91.1 ✓ Cheaper | 102.8⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $289,800 ✓ Lower | $462,100⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,120 ✓ Lower | $1,360⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $72,070 | $73,073 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 5.0%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 21.1 min | 20.5 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 8.4% | 9.3% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 112⚠ High ✓ Safer | 130⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 103⚠ High ✓ Safer | 139⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 125⚠ High | 116⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (102) ✓ Better | B- (95) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.4:1 ✓ Smaller | 19.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 39.0% ✓ Higher | 35.3% |
| High School or Higher | 92.5% ✓ Higher | 89.6% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Jefferson Parish | Washoe County |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 62.5°F ✓ Warmer | 45.8°F |
| Avg High — July | 91.4°F | 92.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 68.3" | 9.2" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 33.3" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 140,046 | 265,196 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 42.4 ✓ Older | 36.9 |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.8% ✓ Higher | 48.3% |
| Under 18 | 19.6% | 19.8% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 21.5% ✓ More | 15.8% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Metairie's cost of living index is 91.1 vs Reno's 102.8 (US average = 100).
Metairie is 12% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Metairie leads 15 of 23 categories. Metairie wins 15 and Reno wins 8. 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 Reno or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($289,800 vs $462,100 median home), income ($72,070 vs $73,073), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Metairie, LA and Reno, NV are about 1,798 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.