Orange vs Metairie: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of Orange, CA and Metairie, LA, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | Orange, CA | Metairie, LA |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,728 | 140,046 |
| Median household income | $109,335 | $72,070 |
| Median home value | $848,200 | $289,800 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $2,148 | $1,120 |
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.
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compare-top (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Comparing Orange, CA and Metairie, LA comes down to what you value most. Metairie has the lower median home value, and Metairie has the lower median rent.
Orange has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it cheaper to live in Orange or Metairie?
- By median home value, Metairie is the cheaper of the two ($289,800 vs $848,200). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, Orange or Metairie?
- Median household income is $109,335 in Orange versus $72,070 in Metairie, per the US Census Bureau.