CostIndexUSA

Morgantown, WV vs San Jose, 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 Jose
110.4
overall index
$3,400/mo rent

Morgantown is significantly cheaper than San Jose — 18.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Morgantown, you would need $94,700 in San Jose. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+206.7%
Morgantown
69.1
San Jose
211.9
🛒 Groceries+9.2%
Morgantown
96.3
San Jose
105.2
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Morgantown
104.8
San Jose
105.3
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Morgantown
94.8
San Jose
95.3
Utilities+69.4%
Morgantown
92.5
San Jose
156.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in San Jose, CA
$94,700
$14,700 more needed in San Jose

Formula: salary × (110.4 ÷ 93.3) = salary × 1.1833. 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 Jose, CA

Median Home Price
$1,569,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,400
Housing Index
211.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
38.5×

San Jose has 206.7% 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 Jose, CA

Median Household Income
$153,200
Per Capita Income
$87,300
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
Population
1,013,240
Top Industries
TechnologySemiconductorsSoftwareHealthcareFinance

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 Jose, CA
3.8×income-to-rent ratio

73% 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.