Morgantown, WV Utility & Living Guide

⚡ Featured Deal

Essentials for Your New Home

🛒 Shop This Deal Now

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Tier 3 Location

Morgantown, WV Utility & Living Guide

Utilities, housing, taxes, cost of living, and local insights — everything residents and families need.

Last updated: June 26, 2026
Total Utilities$350/mo
1BR Rent$1100/mo
Sales Tax7%
COL Index94 (-6% below national average)
Family Score7/10
Median Home$230,000
📷 Live Cameras — Morgantown
Live camera
Live · refreshing...
🌤️ Live Weather — Morgantown
Loading weather...
⚠️ Natural Hazard History — Morgantown
Loading hazard data...
💼 Calculate Your Future Retirement Income

Moving Your Assets to Morgantown?

Moving to Morgantown? Find out how much retirement income you could generate based on your current savings, age, and goals. Calculate Your Retirement Income → Free · Takes 2 minutes · No personal data required
💰 Budget Calculator
🔌 Utilities
🏠 Housing
📊 Cost of Living
💰 Taxes
👨‍👩‍👧 Families
🧮 Tools

Monthly Utility Costs

⚡ Electric

$140/mo

Mon Power
🔥 Gas

$60/mo

Dominion Energy
💧 Water

$50/mo

Morgantown Utility Board
🗑️ Garbage

$30/mo

Morgantown Sanitation Department
📶 Internet

$70/mo

Combined Average Overhead$350/month

Housing Market

Rent & Property
1 Bedroom$1100/mo
2 Bedrooms$1400/mo
3 Bedrooms$1900/mo
Median Home Price$230,000
Property Tax Rate0.65%
Avg Childcare/mo$900

The housing market in Morgantown is relatively affordable, with a mix of older and newer homes, apartments, and condos available for rent or purchase. The city is also home to West Virginia University, which drives demand for housing, particularly in the downtown area. As a result, prices may be higher near the university.

Cost of Living

Overall COL Index

94

US national avg = 100
vs National Avg

-6% below national average

Groceries

96

Transportation

88

Healthcare

105

Childcare/mo

$900

Tax Rates

Tax Overview
Total Sales Tax7%
Property Tax Rate0.65%
<p>State 6% + County 0.5% + City 0.5%</p>

West Virginia has a progressive state income tax with rates ranging from 3% to 6.5%, depending on income level.

Family & Relocation

Family Vibe Score
7/10
Safety Index

55

Higher = safer
School Rating

7.2/10

GreatSchools avg
Avg Childcare

$900/mo

City Pulse

Population Trend
+2% (growing)
Political Climate
Purple description, with a mix of Democratic and Republican voters
Business Momentum
Moderate, with key industries including education, healthcare, and technology
Top Local Concerns
Traffic, housing affordability, economic development
🚌 Transit for Families

The Morgantown Personal Rapid Transit system is a unique and convenient way to get around the city, but it may not be stroller-friendly in all areas, and sidewalks and crosswalks can be uneven in some neighborhoods.

🎡 Top Kid Attractions
  • 🎯
    Core Arboretum
  • 🎯
    Morgantown Farmers Market
  • 🎯
    West Virginia University Core Arboretum

Best Neighborhoods for Families

The downtown area and surrounding neighborhoods, such as Sunnyside and South Park, are popular with families and offer a mix of housing options, parks, and community amenities. The Evansdale area is also home to many families and is close to the university and local schools.

Household Budget Calculator

Estimate your real monthly cost of living in Morgantown based on your household profile.

📰 Live Local News

The city has regulations in place regarding zoning, building permits, and property maintenance, which are enforced by the Morgantown Planning Department.

Financial Tools

Calculators
Planning Tools

Find Another City Guide

Search by city name or ZIP code to find utility costs, housing data and cost of living guides.

📊 Morgantown — Census & Demographic Data

Official data from the US Census Bureau, American Community Survey.

☀️ Seasonal Utility Costs

Utility costs in Morgantown can fluctuate significantly by season, with higher electricity bills in the summer due to air conditioning and higher gas bills in the winter due to heating. However, the city's relatively mild climate means that these fluctuations are not as extreme as in other parts of the country.

🏛️ Local Tax Details

The property tax millage rate in Morgantown is 19.35 mills, with no local surtaxes, and the city also has a 1% local sales tax.

👶 Family & Stroller Friendliness

6, due to the city's hilly terrain and uneven sidewalks in some areas, but also its many parks and green spaces, and the Morgantown Personal Rapid Transit system, which can be stroller-friendly in some areas.

📰 Latest WV Stories
West Virginia Living Report — July 27, 2026

West Virginia Living Report — July 27, 2026

For anyone considering a move to West Virginia, the numbers tell a compelling story of affordability and quiet...

Read more →
West Virginia Living Report — July 26, 2026

West Virginia Living Report — July 26, 2026

Considering a move to West Virginia means stepping into a state defined by its rugged Appalachian beauty and...

Read more →
West Virginia Living Report — July 25, 2026

West Virginia Living Report — July 25, 2026

Moving to a new state often involves a trade-off between affordability and opportunity. West Virginia offers a starkly...

Read more →
West Virginia Living Report — July 24, 2026

West Virginia Living Report — July 24, 2026

Considering a move to West Virginia means reckoning with a state that offers an extremely low cost of...

Read more →
Amazon

Get your home essentials, storage, and moving supplies delivered.

Shop Moving Essentials

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.