CostIndexUSA

Morgantown, WV vs San Diego, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableWV
Morgantown
93.3
overall index
$1,450/mo rent
CA
San Diego
111.9
overall index
$2,875/mo rent

Morgantown is significantly cheaper than San Diego — 19.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Morgantown, you would need $96,000 in San Diego. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+159.5%
Morgantown
69.1
San Diego
179.3
🛒 Groceries+12.1%
Morgantown
96.3
San Diego
108
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Morgantown
104.8
San Diego
104.6
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Morgantown
94.8
San Diego
94.6
Utilities+88.3%
Morgantown
92.5
San Diego
174.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in San Diego, CA
$96,000
$16,000 more needed in San Diego

Formula: salary × (111.9 ÷ 93.3) = salary × 1.1994. 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×

San Diego, CA

Median Home Price
$904,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,875
Housing Index
179.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
26.2×

San Diego has 159.5% 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

San Diego, CA

Median Household Income
$103,700
Per Capita Income
$59,100
Unemployment Rate
4.7%
Population
1,386,932
Top Industries
MilitaryTechnologyTourismBiotechnologyHealthcare

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)

San Diego, CA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

67% 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.