Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Metairie, LA
VS
Suffolk, VA
🏆 Metairie leads 16 of 23 categories
Metairie
Louisiana
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
91.1 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$72,070
Violent Crime Index
103⚠ High
Population
140,046 ✓ Larger
Suffolk
Virginia
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
97.4
Median Household Income
$87,758 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
98 ✓ Safer
Population
94,856
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Metairie, LA
Pros
Rent averages $256/mo less ($1,120 vs $1,376)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.0 pts lower (4.3%)
Commutes run 9 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 39.0% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 63°F vs 49°F
Living costs sit below the national average (index 91.1)
Cons
Median income trails Suffolk by $15,688/yr
Property crime (2629.4/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Suffolk, VA
Pros
Households earn $15,688 more per year on average
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,376/mo
Higher unemployment (6.3% vs 4.3%)
Longer commutes — 29.6 min average each way
Pricier housing — median home is $314,400
Key Differences at a Glance
Metairie
Cost of Living
6% cheaper
COL index 91.1 vs 97.4 (100 = US avg)
Metairie
Median Home Value
$25k less
$289,800 vs $314,400
Metairie
Unemployment
2.0 pp lower
4.3% vs 6.3% unemployment
Metairie
Summer Heat
4.6°F warmer
July avg high 91.4°F vs 86.8°F
Suffolk
Median Income
$15,688
$87,758 vs $72,070/yr
Suffolk
Violent Crime
5% lower
371.0 vs 390.1 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Metairie, LA | Suffolk, VA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 91.1 ✓ Cheaper | 97.4 |
| Median Home Value | $289,800 ✓ Lower | $314,400⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,120 ✓ Lower | $1,376⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $72,070 | $87,758 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.3%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 21.1 min ✓ Shorter | 29.6 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 8.4% ✓ Higher | 7.9% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 112⚠ High | 89 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 103⚠ High | 98 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 125⚠ High | 75 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (102) ✓ Better | B (99) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.4:1 ✓ Smaller | 14.5:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 39.0% ✓ Higher | 32.1% |
| High School or Higher | 92.5% ✓ Higher | 91.2% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Jefferson Parish | Suffolk City Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 62.5°F ✓ Warmer | 49.3°F |
| Avg High — July | 91.4°F ✓ Warmer | 86.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 68.3" | 51.8" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 5.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 140,046 ✓ Larger | 94,856 |
| Median Age | 42.4 ✓ Older | 38.5 |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.8% | 70.4% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 19.6% | 23.6% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 21.5% ✓ More | 14.8% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Metairie's cost of living index is 91.1 vs Suffolk's 97.4 (US average = 100).
Metairie is 6% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Metairie leads 16 of 23 categories. Metairie wins 16 and Suffolk wins 7. 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 Suffolk or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($289,800 vs $314,400 median home), income ($72,070 vs $87,758), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Metairie, LA and Suffolk, VA are about 907 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.