CostIndexUSA

Morgantown, WV vs Seattle, WA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableWV
Morgantown
93.3
overall index
$1,450/mo rent
WA
Seattle
111.1
overall index
$2,175/mo rent

Morgantown is significantly cheaper than Seattle — 19.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Morgantown, you would need $95,300 in Seattle. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+119.0%
Morgantown
69.1
Seattle
151.3
🛒 Groceries+8.0%
Morgantown
96.3
Seattle
104
🚗 Transportation+7.1%
Morgantown
104.8
Seattle
112.2
🏥 Healthcare+7.1%
Morgantown
94.8
Seattle
101.5
Utilities≈ Equal
Morgantown
92.5
Seattle
92.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Seattle, WA
$95,300
$15,300 more needed in Seattle

Formula: salary × (111.1 ÷ 93.3) = salary × 1.1908. 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×

Seattle, WA

Median Home Price
$730,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,175
Housing Index
151.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
28.0×

Seattle has 119.0% 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

Seattle, WA

Median Household Income
$110,700
Per Capita Income
$63,100
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
Population
737,255
Top Industries
TechnologyAerospaceHealthcareRetailLogistics

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)

Seattle, WA
4.2×income-to-rent ratio

76% 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.