CostIndexUSA

Bismarck, ND vs Morgantown, WV Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableND
Bismarck
91
overall index
$1,300/mo rent
WV
Morgantown
93.3
overall index
$1,450/mo rent

Bismarck is slightly cheaper than Morgantown — 2.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Bismarck, you would need $82,000 in Morgantown. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing17.7%
Bismarck
84
Morgantown
69.1
🛒 Groceries+0.6%
Bismarck
95.7
Morgantown
96.3
🚗 Transportation+9.5%
Bismarck
95.7
Morgantown
104.8
🏥 Healthcare+9.5%
Bismarck
86.6
Morgantown
94.8
Utilities+23.3%
Bismarck
75
Morgantown
92.5

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Morgantown, WV
$82,000
$2,000 more needed in Morgantown

Formula: salary × (93.3 ÷ 91) = salary × 1.0253. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Bismarck, ND

Median Home Price
$339,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,300
Housing Index
84
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.7×

Morgantown, WV

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

Bismarck has 17.7% lower housing costs compared to Morgantown.

Income & Job Market

Bismarck, ND

Median Household Income
$83,400
Per Capita Income
$47,500
Unemployment Rate
1.9%
Population
73,529
Top Industries
GovernmentEnergyHealthcareFinanceAgriculture

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).

Bismarck, ND
5.3×income-to-rent ratio

81% 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.