Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Metairie, LA
VS
San Antonio, TX
🏆 Metairie leads 15 of 23 categories
Metairie
Louisiana
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
91.1 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$72,070 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
103⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
140,046
San Antonio
Texas
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
93.7
Median Household Income
$59,593
Violent Crime Index
156⚠ High
Population
1,445,662 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Metairie, LA
Pros
34% less violent crime than San Antonio
Households earn $12,477 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.6 pts lower (4.3%)
More college-educated — 39.0% hold a bachelor's or higher
Commutes run 3 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 91.1)
Cons
Property crime (2629.4/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
San Antonio, TX
Pros
Homes cost $92k less ($198,000 vs $289,800)
Living costs sit below the national average (index 93.7)
Cons
Violent crime (594.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Metairie by $12,477/yr
Property crime (4623.6/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (5.9% vs 4.3%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Metairie
Cost of Living
3% cheaper
COL index 91.1 vs 93.7 (100 = US avg)
Metairie
Median Income
$12,477
$72,070 vs $59,593/yr
Metairie
Violent Crime
34% lower
390.1 vs 594.1 per 100k
Metairie
Unemployment
1.6 pp lower
4.3% vs 5.9% unemployment
San Antonio
Median Home Value
$92k less
$198,000 vs $289,800
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Metairie, LA | San Antonio, TX |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 91.1 ✓ Cheaper | 93.7 |
| Median Home Value | $289,800 | $198,000 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,120 ✓ Lower | $1,189 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $72,070 ✓ Higher | $59,593 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 5.9%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 21.1 min ✓ Shorter | 24.5 min |
| Work From Home % | 8.4% | 9.8% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 112⚠ High ✓ Safer | 182⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 103⚠ High ✓ Safer | 156⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 125⚠ High ✓ Safer | 220⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (102) ✓ Better | B (97) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.4:1 | 14.2:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 39.0% ✓ Higher | 27.7% |
| High School or Higher | 92.5% ✓ Higher | 83.8% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Jefferson Parish | NORTHSIDE ISD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 62.5°F | 63.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 91.4°F | 94.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 68.3" | 34.0" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 0.1" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 140,046 | 1,445,662 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 42.4 ✓ Older | 34.1 |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.8% ✓ Higher | 51.9% |
| Under 18 | 19.6% | 24.1% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 21.5% ✓ More | 12.8% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Metairie's cost of living index is 91.1 vs San Antonio's 93.7 (US average = 100).
Metairie is 3% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Metairie leads 15 of 23 categories. Metairie wins 15 and San Antonio 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 San Antonio or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($289,800 vs $198,000 median home), income ($72,070 vs $59,593), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Metairie, LA and San Antonio, TX are about 502 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.