CostIndexUSA

Morgantown, WV vs Richmond, VA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableWV
Morgantown
93.3
overall index
$1,450/mo rent
VA
Richmond
97.9
overall index
$1,650/mo rent

Morgantown is slightly cheaper than Richmond — 4.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Morgantown, you would need $83,900 in Richmond. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+43.4%
Morgantown
69.1
Richmond
99.1
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Morgantown
96.3
Richmond
96.8
🚗 Transportation1.2%
Morgantown
104.8
Richmond
103.5
🏥 Healthcare1.2%
Morgantown
94.8
Richmond
93.7
Utilities3.6%
Morgantown
92.5
Richmond
89.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Richmond, VA
$83,900
$3,900 more needed in Richmond

Formula: salary × (97.9 ÷ 93.3) = salary × 1.0493. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Morgantown, WV

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

Richmond, VA

Median Home Price
$381,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,650
Housing Index
99.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.2×

Richmond has 43.4% higher housing costs compared to Morgantown.

Income & Job Market

Morgantown, WV

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

Richmond, VA

Median Household Income
$84,300
Per Capita Income
$48,100
Unemployment Rate
3.9%
Population
226,610
Top Industries
FinanceHealthcareGovernmentManufacturingEducation

Affordability at a Glance

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

Morgantown, WV
3.4×income-to-rent ratio

71% of income left after rent (median)

Richmond, VA
4.3×income-to-rent ratio

77% 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.