City Report · LA

Metairie

Pop. 139,729·14th most expensive in Louisiana·Rents have been falling, good time to negotiate
Median rent (all units)
$1,605/mo
Year-over-Year
-3.6%
Month-over-Month
-1.4%
vs US Median
-$360
Falling (Monthly)
Be the first to discuss Metairie rents
Most AffordableMost Expensive
Metairie · $1,605
More affordable than 69% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
73/100
Good value
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 12% below what Metairie's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$1,605/mo
Expected by trend
$1,817/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Metairie's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,034
1 BR
$1,194
2 BR
$1,426
3 BR
$1,824
4 BR+
$2,142
Research median
$1,426/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$19,260/yr
At $1,605/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 3.6% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (-3.6% YoY, -1.4% MoM), not inventory.
Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Metairie, LA is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, 41.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
139,729
Median income
$73,042
Median age
41.3
Renters
37.9%
Age distribution
20.8%
19.7%
24.6%
13.4%
21.4%
Under 1820.8%
18–3419.7%
35–5424.6%
55–6413.4%
65+21.4%
Gender
49%
51%
Male49%
Female51%
Race & ethnicity
66.5%
18.2%
White66.5%
Black9.9%
Hispanic18.2%
Asian3.1%
Other2.2%
Education (25+)
22.6%
27.5%
41.2%
No HS diploma8.7%
HS diploma22.6%
Some college27.5%
Bachelor's+41.2%
Housing tenure
62.1%
37.9%
Owner62.1%
Renter37.9%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Metairie, LA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,360 → $1,605
up 18.0%
Income
$65,740 → $73,042
up 11.1%
Population
140,590 → 139,729
down 0.6%
Renter share
37.2% → 37.9%
+0.7 pts
Bachelor's+
38.2% → 41.2%
+3.0 pts
Median age
42.4 → 41.3
-1.1 yrs

Across the past five years, the going rent in Metairie, LA has shifted from $1,360 to $1,605, up 18.0% since 2021. Median household income climbed from $65,740 to $73,042 between 2021 and 2024, a 11.1% shift. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 38.2% to 41.2% across the same window. Taken together, the five-year picture in Metairie, LA reflects how housing costs and the people paying them have evolved through a stretch that included a pandemic, a hot rental market, and a recent cooling phase.

Community

Discussions about Metairie

No discussions yet. Start the conversation.

View Metairie rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Metairie on your salary?

At $1,605/mo, how Metairie rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Metairie rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Metairie. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Metairie

About renting in Metairie, LA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Metairie is $1,605/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,034/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,426/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,194/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,824/mo.

At 26% of local median household income ($73,042/yr), Metairie ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 3.6% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Metairie an affordable city for renters?

Metairie is considered affordable for renters. At $1,605/mo, rent takes approximately 26% of the local median household income ($73,042/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Metairie falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Metairie?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $64,000/year (~$31/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,605/mo in Metairie. The local median household income is $73,042/yr, meaning the typical Metairie household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Metairie?

Rent in Metairie has decreased 3.6% over the past year as of July 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

Which Metairie neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Metairie are 70002 ($1,362/mo), 70003 ($1,603/mo), and 70001 ($1,664/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Metairie is $1,605/mo.

How does Metairie rent compare to other cities in Louisiana?

Metairie is one of the pricier cities in Louisiana for rent, ranking #14 out of 46 tracked cities at $1,605/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Metairie?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Metairie ($1,605/mo): Harahan ($1,415/mo), River Ridge ($1,498/mo).

What percentage of Metairie residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 37.9% of Metairie households are renters, while 62.1% are owner-occupied. Metairie leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Metairie rent compare to the national average?

Metairie's median rent of $1,605/mo is $360 (18%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Louisiana, it ranks #14 out of 46 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
26%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,605/mo, rent takes ~26% of Metairie's median household income ($73,042/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Metairie 26%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1.85–4.25%
Run the Metairie affordability calculator →
Compare

How does this area stack up?

Pick another city or ZIP to compare.

Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Metairie, LA

Recent submissions

Be the first to submit your rent for Metairie.

Recent discussions

No discussions yet.