CostIndexUSA

Irvine, CA vs Morgantown, WV Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Irvine
113.6
overall index
$2,550/mo rent
More AffordableWV
Morgantown
93.3
overall index
$1,450/mo rent

Morgantown is significantly cheaper than Irvine — 17.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Irvine, you would need $65,700 in Morgantown. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing59.4%
Irvine
170.4
Morgantown
69.1
🛒 Groceries9.7%
Irvine
106.6
Morgantown
96.3
🚗 Transportation4.4%
Irvine
109.6
Morgantown
104.8
🏥 Healthcare4.3%
Irvine
99.1
Morgantown
94.8
Utilities41.7%
Irvine
158.6
Morgantown
92.5

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Irvine to see what you'd need to earn in Morgantown to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Morgantown, WV
$65,700
$14,300 less needed in Morgantown

Formula: salary × (93.3 ÷ 113.6) = salary × 0.8213. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Irvine, CA

Median Home Price
$565,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,550
Housing Index
170.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.5×

Morgantown, WV

Median Home Price
$215,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,450
Housing Index
69.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
12.4×

Irvine has 59.4% lower housing costs compared to Morgantown.

Income & Job Market

Irvine, CA

Median Household Income
$92,000
Per Capita Income
$52,400
Unemployment Rate
5.5%
Population
307,670
Top Industries
TechnologyFinanceHealthcareEducationReal Estate

Morgantown, WV

Median Household Income
$59,000
Per Capita Income
$33,600
Unemployment Rate
4.3%
Population
31,073
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareEnergyTechnologyGovernment

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Irvine, CA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

67% of income left after rent (median)

Morgantown, WV
3.4×income-to-rent ratio

71% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.