A metal vapor discharge lamp includes a discharge tube comprising a translucent ceramic discharge portion that defines a discharge space in which a luminous metal is sealed, slender tube portions provided on both ends of the discharge portion, a pair of electrodes provided with coils at the tips thereof, electrode supports that support the electrodes at one end thereof and extend all the way to the ends of the slender tube portions on the side opposite to the discharge space at the other end thereof, and a sealant for sealing the ends of the slender tube portions on the side opposite to the discharge space so as to attach the electrode supports to the inner surfaces of the slender tube portions, in which X>0.0056P+0.394 is satisfied, where P is a lamp power (W) and X is a distance (mm) from the ends of the coils on the side of the slender tube portions to the ends of the slender tube portions on the side of the discharge space.