Morgantown 84 Exceptional
Morgantown Livability #5 ranked city in West Virginia#674 ranked city in the USARanks better than 97% of areas
Is This the Right Place for You? Local Insights Report
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Pros and Cons of Living in Morgantown

PROS
  • Amenities Amenities

    Within the vicinity, you'll find a wealth of amenities, from restaurants and coffee shops to grocery stores and local shops, all easily accessible on foot.

  • Commute Commute

    High scores in the commute category could indicate that this area offers short commute times to work and readily available public transportation options.

  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    Residents in this area benefit from an affordable cost of living. This includes goods and services, transportation, housing, utilities, groceries and healthcare.

  • Housing Housing

    The housing category in this area boasts higher than average scores, likely influenced by a positive home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Earning a high health and safety score depends on factors such as good air quality and the availability of essential health facilities like hospitals, clinics, doctors, and fire stations.

CONS
  • Employment Employment

    The combination of low income levels and high unemployment rates contributes to a low score in the employment category, which could make it challenging to secure well-paying jobs.

What's it like Living in Morgantown?

Morgantown is a medium-sized city located in the state of West Virginia. The city has a population of 31,653 residents. Morgantown has a population density of 3,171 people per square mile. This would be considered well above the national population density level. If we look at the most recent Census, Morgantown is known to have a predominantly White population. The next two most common races are Black and Asian. The median age of all Morgantown residents is 24, which is well below the national average. This is a good indication that this city could be ideal for a younger demographic. Morgantown is not known to have a high population (over 15 years old) of married people. At only 28% married, this city falls well below the national average. If you're not a fan of traffic congestion and long commute times to work, Morgantown is the place to be. Commutes to work here are shorter, with an average one-way commute time taking only 17 minutes, significantly lower than the national average of 26 minutes.

Are you trying to ascertain if living in Morgantown is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a good experience before relocating to any new city in West Virginia, you will probably want to make sure that you check all of the most important boxes. Several key factors deserve attention. For one, safety is paramount, ensuring that your new area is low in crime is key. Proximity to workplaces or schools minimizes commute times and fosters convenience. Access to essential amenities like parks, grocery stores, food, fitness, shops and healthcare facilities enhances daily life. Efficient public transportation options provide mobility and connectivity. The sense of community creates a welcoming and supportive environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere, encompassing the vibe, aesthetics, and lifestyle offerings, contributes to a fulfilling living experience. Considering these elements helps identify the ideal neighborhood for your needs and preferences. The best areas in Morgantown and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from amenities, commute, education, employment, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the West Virginia and national averages.

With a livability score of 83 out of 100, Morgantown is ranked #815 in the United States and #3 in West Virginia. This is a great score, as Morgantown ranks well in multiple categories! Morgantown also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities, which is no small feat! If we dig a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Morgantown has higher than average rankings for the following: amenities (A+), cost of living (A+) and housing (B+). Morgantown does not do well for the following: employment (D-). It might be a good idea to take a closer look at each category to find out why.

Living in Morgantown offers many benefits and offers an extensive array of local amenities. These amenities play a crucial role in enhancing the quality of life in this vibrant community. From readily accessible grocery stores to charming coffee shops, diverse dining options and generously spaced parks, Morgantown provides a wide spectrum of resources for its residents. This ensures that your daily requirements are effortlessly met and creates abundant opportunities for leisure and recreation. The abundant local offerings contribute to the area's overall appeal, making it an attractive destination for those seeking convenience, variety and a fulfilling lifestyle. If you're considering a move, the wealth of local amenities continues could be a defining feature of this remarkable locale. Here are some of the more popular things to do in Morgantown: Mountaineer Field, West Virginia University, and WVU Coliseum.

A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Morgantown has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.

Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Morgantown is real estate affordability. Median real estate prices in Morgantown come in at $389,566, which is 102.7% higher than the West Virginia average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Morgantown, the home price to income ratio is 6.2, which is 100% higher than the West Virginia average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Morgantown

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Compare Morgantown, WV Livability

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      Morgantown transportation information

      Statistic Morgantown West Virginia National
      Average one way commute17min26min26min
      Workers who drive to work64.5%82.0%76.4%
      Workers who carpool6.1%9.9%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit4.3%0.9%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.8%0.1%0.6%
      Workers who walk16.3%2.9%2.8%
      Working from home7.4%3.1%4.6%
      Source: The Morgantown, WV data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.