Cost of living in the New Orleans Metro Area
7 counties across LA. Population: 988,763.
Last updated May 22, 2026
Rent in the New Orleans Metro Area
Average rent across the New Orleans-Metairie metro area, weighted by county population.
Source: HUD FMR + ACS (population-weighted metro average)
Income and earnings in the New Orleans Metro Area
Earnings data averaged across all 7 counties.
Source: ACS (population-weighted metro average)
Home values in the New Orleans Metro Area
Average home values and annual property tax across the metro.
Source: ACS (population-weighted metro average)
Energy costs in the New Orleans Metro Area
Residential electricity and natural gas estimates.
Source: EIA (state averages applied per county, weighted)
All 7 counties in the New Orleans Metro Area
The New Orleans-Metairie metro area includes 7 counties. Sorted by population.
- Jefferson Parish LA$3,185/moPop432,484 Rent$1,236/mo Income$65,246/yrJefferson Parish LA 432,484 $1,236/mo $65,246/yr $3,185/mo
- New Orleans LA$3,093/moPop376,035 Rent$1,236/mo Income$55,339/yrNew Orleans LA 376,035 $1,236/mo $55,339/yr $3,093/mo
- St. Charles Parish LA$3,317/moPop51,863 Rent$1,236/mo Income$82,172/yrSt. Charles Parish LA 51,863 $1,236/mo $82,172/yr $3,317/mo
- St. Bernard Parish LA$3,232/moPop44,172 Rent$1,236/mo Income$57,638/yrSt. Bernard Parish LA 44,172 $1,236/mo $57,638/yr $3,232/mo
- St. John the Baptist Parish LA$3,130/moPop41,342 Rent$1,236/mo Income$67,418/yrSt. John the Baptist Parish LA 41,342 $1,236/mo $67,418/yr $3,130/mo
- Plaquemines Parish LA$3,246/moPop23,070 Rent$1,236/mo Income$82,874/yrPlaquemines Parish LA 23,070 $1,236/mo $82,874/yr $3,246/mo
- St. James Parish LA$2,753/moPop19,797 Rent$741/mo Income$64,536/yrSt. James Parish LA 19,797 $741/mo $64,536/yr $2,753/mo
Compare counties in the New Orleans Metro Area
Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up across the metro.
Open comparison toolFrequently asked questions about the New Orleans Metro Area
Common questions about cost of living in the metro area.
What is the cost of living in the New Orleans Metro Area?
The estimated average cost of living in the New Orleans-Metairie metro area is approximately $3,150 per month for a single person. This is a population-weighted average across the 7 counties that make up the metro area.
What is the average rent in the New Orleans Metro Area?
The average one-bedroom rent across the New Orleans-Metairie metro area is $1,226 per month, based on HUD Fair Market Rent data weighted by county population.
What is the cheapest county in the New Orleans Metro Area?
St. James Parish, LA is the most affordable county in the New Orleans-Metairie metro area at approximately $2,753 per month for a single person.
What is the most expensive county in the New Orleans Metro Area?
St. Charles Parish, LA is the most expensive county in the New Orleans-Metairie metro area at approximately $3,317 per month for a single person.
How many counties are in the New Orleans Metro Area?
The New Orleans-Metairie metro area covers 7 counties. The five largest by population are Jefferson Parish, New Orleans, St. Charles Parish, St. Bernard Parish, St. John the Baptist Parish.
Use this research
Journalists, researchers and bloggers are welcome to cite and share this analysis. Please include a follow link back to this page when referencing our data. For bespoke analysis, expert comment, or high-resolution graphics, get in touch via our press office.
About this data
All figures come from official U.S. government sources. Metro-area averages are population-weighted across constituent counties using Census ACS population estimates.