Below Average CostSafer than AverageWest Virginia Academy
Morgantown, West Virginia (2023) · WeaponizingArchitecture / CC BY-SA 4.0Woodburn Hall WVU (9300119056) · Tom Long from Oak Island, USA / CC BY-SA 2.0WVU Opening Game Mountaineer Field · John Duffy from Worcester, MA, USA / CC BY 2.0Metropolitan Theater (Morgantown, West Virginia) · WeaponizingArchitecture / CC BY-SA 4.0
Morgantown is a small city of 30,220 in West Virginia, with a median household income of $41,103
and a 9.9% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 92 (US average = 100), which is
8% below the national average.
Strengths:
Morgantown stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, lower-than-average crime, a well-educated population, short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Morgantown is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Morgantown city data on this page comes from official government sources —
the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.
Cost of Living
Index: 92.3
Morgantown's overall cost of living index is 92.3,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Morgantown costs roughly 8% less than the average American city.
Metric
Morgantown, WV
National Avg
Median Home Value
$231,100
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$901
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
43.1%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$41,103
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Safer than Average
Morgantown's violent crime rate is 209.8 per 100,000 residents
— 45% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
209.8 /100k
Property Crime
1960.0 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Morgantown is served primarily by West Virginia Academy.
Metric
Morgantown, WV
National Avg
School District
West Virginia Academy
—
Elementary Schools
N/A
—
Middle Schools
N/A
—
High Schools
N/A
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
N/A
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
58.1%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
93.7%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Morgantown sees average highs of 40.1°F in January
and 84.4°F in July,
with 43.2 inches of annual precipitation
and 14.4 inches of snow per year.
Morgantown's cost of living index is 92, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Morgantown roughly 8% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $231,100 and median rent is $901/month.
Morgantown's violent crime rate is 209.8 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 1960.0 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Morgantown are operated by West Virginia Academy.
The district has several elementary, several middle, and several high schools.
58.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Morgantown, WV has a population of 30,220, a median household income of $41,103, and an unemployment rate of 9.9%.
It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.
Morgantown averages 40.1°F in January and 84.4°F in July. Annual rainfall is 43.2 inches
with about 14.4 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Morgantown, WV is covered by 2 ZIP codes: 26505, 26506.
The population of Morgantown, West Virginia is 30,220 with a median age of 23.8. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Morgantown: cost of living index 92 (100 = US average), median home $231,100, median household income $41,103, crime index 70 (100 = US average, lower is safer). Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Morgantown side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
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