Metairie, LABest Places To Live in the U.S. in 2023
Less than 10 miles outside the Big Easy, Metairie is a sweet, Southern town with plenty of character. Delicious dining options, plenty of outdoor activities, and a calendar full of festivals and events contribute to the strong community spirit you’ll find here.
Metairie, LA, Is One of the Best Cities To Live in America
Located just 6 miles outside New Orleans, Metairie, LA, falls under the Greater New Orleans umbrella. In fact, most Metairie residents consider themselves to be New Orleanians. The French settled the area in the 1700s, quickly becoming New Orleans’ first suburb. While its accessibility to New Orleans is an added bonus when it comes to finding things to do in the area, Metairie has plenty going for it on its own. The countless shopping options, offices, bars, restaurants, nightclubs, sports arenas, theaters and parks make Metairie one of the best places to live in the U.S.
Metairie has a low unemployment rate and a good range of job options in a variety of industries, and the areas of Veterans Memorial Boulevard and Causeway Boulevard are the main commercial thoroughfares. Metairie is the largest community in Jefferson Parish (a parish is the Louisiana equivalent of a county). As part of the Jefferson Parish Public School System, Metairie has two primary public high schools, along with a magnet school and many private schools.
Like the neighboring New Orleans, Metairie knows how to have a good time and is known for its many events and festivals. However, the community tends to lean toward more family-oriented activities — when New Orleans is busy celebrating Mardi Gras, Metairie has its own rendition of Carnival, known as Family Gras.
Another cool thing about Metairie? It’s located on the massive Lake Pontchartrain, which is not really a lake at all but an estuary. At 40 miles wide and with 630 square miles of total area, it’s one of the largest estuaries in the country and is considered the second-largest inland body of salt water (though technically, its waters are brackish). For Metairie, this means lakefront dining, marinas and boating, waterfront walks on the boardwalk, and a former fishing village turned seafood restaurant hot spot known as Bucktown.
Metairie, LA Quality of Life LivScore
Metairie, LA Top Categories
Amenities
Economy
Housing & Cost of Living
Metairie ranks highest for amenities, economy and housing.
Weather and Outdoor Activities in Metairie, LA
In short: It’s hot and humid. Metairie’s subtropical climate means a lot of rain and many days of temps above 90, but it does cool off some in the winter. The average highs and lows are 91°F and 75°F (summer) and 64°F and 47°F (winter).
The average annual snowfall in Metairie is 0 inches. While the city may experience occasional frost or freezing temperatures during winter, snowfall is extremely rare.
The average annual rainfall in Metairie is 64 inches, and the summer months are typically the wettest.
Metairie averages 217 sunny days a year.
Lafreniere Park offers 155 acres of outdoor scenery and fun, with jogging paths, sports fields, picnic spots, a disc golf area and more. There are also playgrounds, ducks, a carousel, a manmade swamp, a snack bar and a snowball (a Louisianan version of a snow cone) stand.
Things To Do in Metairie, LA
Metairie is technically not a city. It’s what is called a “census-designated place,” or CDP. That just means that it isn’t incorporated and doesn’t have its own mayor or local government.
Nola Boo sells T-shirts, shoes, home goods, jewelry, candles and other gifts – including all things Louisiana and New Orleans — because people who live in Louisiana love Louisiana.
Don’t let its strip-mall location faze you — Chef Ron’s Gumbo Stop is where locals go for delicious and authentic local cuisine, including nine different types of gumbo.
Blue Ruin Speakeasy serves fancy craft cocktails for just $6 Tuesday through Friday until 7 p.m. If you need food for your hour to be even happier, Boulevard American Bistro has drink specials plus $9 small plates.
The Local and State Economy in Metairie, LA
Metairie’s biggest industries include oil and gas, health care, and tourism and hospitality, thanks to its proximity to New Orleans.
In 2023, the sales tax rate in Metairie is 9.2%.
Yes, Louisiana has a state income tax.
Thanks to the city’s proximity to New Orleans, residents have access to highly-rated providers at Ochsner Medical Center, Tulane Medical Center and the Children’s Hospital New Orleans.
Although there aren’t any major colleges or universities in Metairie, several higher-education institutions are within driving distance in nearby New Orleans.
Quick Facts About Metairie, LA
- Median Household Income
- $63,808
- Median Home Value
- $272,094
- Average State Property Tax
- $983
- Total Population
- 140,637
- Median Rent/Mo.
- $917
- Average Commute
- 18.95 minutes
Metairie is one of the best places to live in the U.S., thanks partly to its diverse amenities and robust local economy. It is also the only Louisiana city on the list. Learn more about living in Metairie or how to test-drive a city before you move there. Another good resource as you consider a move: The Ultimate Guide To Finding Your Best Place To Live.
