| Index | Morgantown | West Virginia | National |
| Cost of living | 98 | 85 | 100 |
| Groceries | 97 | 97 | 100 |
| Health care | 93 | 94 | 100 |
| Housing | 109 | 62 | 100 |
| Transportation | 96 | 95 | 100 |
| Utilities | 91 | 94 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 93 | 94 | 100 |
| Household Items | 94 | 95 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 89 | 91 | 100 |
Getting a feel for the cost of living in Morgantown is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Morgantown is 98, which is 2% lower than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.
In Morgantown, daily expenses such as food, housing, lifestyle expenses, transportation and health care are in line with comparable areas and about average when compared to all cities across the nation. This ensures that the cost of living in Morgantown will resemble that of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.
When it comes to knowing a city, its residents are the experts. We conducted a survey with 7 locals to understand their opinions on the cost of living in Morgantown. The results indicated that 43% found it reasonably priced with decreasing prices of goods and services, while 57% viewed it as quite expensive, with increasing prices.
Is Morgantown an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Morgantown is 19.3% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 13.9% lower than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Morgantown has a median household income of $62,548, which is 23.1% lower than the national average.
Transportation: When public transportation options are limited or non-existent, residents frequently resort to vehicle ownership, which can significantly contribute to the overall cost of living. Monthly financial obligations encompass fuel, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or financing expenses. In Morgantown, the transportation index is 3.6% lower than the national average.
Groceries: Grocery costs have continued to increase significantly over the last 2-3 years. In some markets the cost of food has gone up by more than 20% in that period. While other markets have managed to see only a moderate uptick. These food costs can have a major impact on the cost of living in any area. In Morgantown, the groceries index is 3.5% lower than the national average.
Taxes: Cities that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an escalated cost of living. The added expense of taxes on everyday goods like clothing and food naturally results in higher overall costs. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can further elevate the cost of living. In Morgantown, the general sales tax rate starts at 6%, and income tax rates begin at 3%.
The Morgantown cost of living data displayed above uses a U.S. average baseline of 100 to provide a practical way to compare living expenses across cities. Housing estimates incorporate U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are generated using AI-assisted models based on everyday expense expectations, regional pricing trends, climate, transportation patterns, and local economic conditions. These values are designed for directional city-to-city comparisons.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $129,116 | $10,760 | $3,013 | $3,874 |
| Renters | $28,552 | $2,379 | $666 | $857 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| West Virginia | 6% | 7% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| West Virginia | 3% | 6.5% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Pentress, WV | 94 | 94 | 6.2% |
| Bobtown, PA | 633 | 75 | 24.9% |
| Greensboro, PA | 396 | 79 | 21.3% |
| Grant Town, WV | 471 | 80 | 20.4% |
| Granville, WV | 2,915 | 82 | 18.2% |
| Morgantown, WV | 31,653 | 98 | 1.6% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Brooklyn Center, MN | 31,682 | 102 | 1.8% |
| Danville, IL | 31,689 | 84 | 16.2% |
| Sahuarita, AZ | 31,695 | 112 | 12.4% |
| Bel Air North, MD | 31,605 | 130 | 29.5% |
| Los Altos, CA | 31,735 | 341 | 240.6% |
| Morgantown, WV | 31,653 | 98 | 1.6% |
Here are the best places to live in West Virginia
These are the largest cities in West Virginia
Most Dangerous States In The US
Safest States In The US