CostIndexUSA

Chico, CA vs Morgantown, WV Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Chico
101.2
overall index
$1,575/mo rent
More AffordableWV
Morgantown
93.3
overall index
$1,450/mo rent

Morgantown is moderately cheaper than Chico — 7.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Chico, you would need $73,800 in Morgantown. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing24.8%
Chico
91.9
Morgantown
69.1
🛒 Groceries8.5%
Chico
105.2
Morgantown
96.3
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Chico
105.3
Morgantown
104.8
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Chico
95.3
Morgantown
94.8
Utilities41.8%
Chico
158.8
Morgantown
92.5

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Morgantown, WV
$73,800
$6,200 less needed in Morgantown

Formula: salary × (93.3 ÷ 101.2) = salary × 0.9219. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Chico, CA

Median Home Price
$390,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,575
Housing Index
91.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.6×

Morgantown, WV

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

Chico has 24.8% lower housing costs compared to Morgantown.

Income & Job Market

Chico, CA

Median Household Income
$63,200
Per Capita Income
$36,000
Unemployment Rate
6.9%
Population
101,475
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareAgricultureManufacturingRetail

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).

Chico, CA
3.3×income-to-rent ratio

70% 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.