Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Metairie, LA
VS
Tempe, AZ
🏆 Metairie leads 13 of 22 categories
Metairie
Louisiana
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
91.1 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$72,070 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
103⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
140,046
Tempe
Arizona
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
99.9
Median Household Income
$72,022
Violent Crime Index
124⚠ High
Population
181,005 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Metairie, LA
Pros
17% less violent crime than Tempe
Homes cost $92k less ($289,800 vs $382,100)
Rent averages $352/mo less ($1,120 vs $1,472)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.4 pts lower (4.3%)
Cooler summers — July highs near 91°F vs 106°F
9% cheaper overall cost of living than Tempe
Cons
Property crime (2629.4/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Tempe, AZ
Pros
More college-educated — 48.9% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 71°F vs 63°F
Cons
Violent crime (470.3/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Pricier housing — median home is $382,100
Higher rents — median is $1,472/mo
Property crime (2893.8/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Metairie
Cost of Living
9% cheaper
COL index 91.1 vs 99.9 (100 = US avg)
Metairie
Violent Crime
17% lower
390.1 vs 470.3 per 100k
Metairie
Median Home Value
$92k less
$289,800 vs $382,100
Metairie
Unemployment
1.4 pp lower
4.3% vs 5.7% unemployment
Tempe
Summer Heat
14.5°F warmer
July avg high 105.9°F vs 91.4°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Metairie, LA | Tempe, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 91.1 ✓ Cheaper | 99.9 |
| Median Home Value | $289,800 ✓ Lower | $382,100⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,120 ✓ Lower | $1,472⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $72,070 ✓ Higher | $72,022 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 5.7%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 21.1 min ✓ Shorter | 21.5 min |
| Work From Home % | 8.4% | 16.8% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 112⚠ High ✓ Safer | 129⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 103⚠ High ✓ Safer | 124⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 125⚠ High ✓ Safer | 138⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (102) | A (125) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.4:1 | 14.3:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 39.0% | 48.9% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 92.5% | 93.7% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Jefferson Parish | Tempe School District (4258) |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 62.5°F | 70.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 91.4°F | 105.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 68.3" | 8.5" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 140,046 | 181,005 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 42.4 ✓ Older | 29.7 |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.8% ✓ Higher | 40.7% |
| Under 18 | 19.6% ✓ More | 14.4% |
| Over 65 | 21.5% ✓ More | 10.6% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Metairie's cost of living index is 91.1 vs Tempe's 99.9 (US average = 100).
Metairie is 9% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Metairie leads 13 of 22 categories. Metairie wins 13 and Tempe wins 9. 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 Tempe or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($289,800 vs $382,100 median home), income ($72,070 vs $72,022), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Metairie, LA and Tempe, AZ are about 1,298 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.