CostIndexUSA

Morgantown, WV vs Tuscaloosa, AL Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

WV
Morgantown
93.3
overall index
$1,450/mo rent
More AffordableAL
Tuscaloosa
87.7
overall index
$1,525/mo rent

Tuscaloosa is moderately cheaper than Morgantown — 6.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Morgantown, you would need $75,200 in Tuscaloosa. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing15.8%
Morgantown
69.1
Tuscaloosa
58.2
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Morgantown
96.3
Tuscaloosa
96.4
🚗 Transportation3.1%
Morgantown
104.8
Tuscaloosa
101.5
🏥 Healthcare3.1%
Morgantown
94.8
Tuscaloosa
91.9
Utilities8.8%
Morgantown
92.5
Tuscaloosa
84.4

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Tuscaloosa, AL
$75,200
$4,800 less needed in Tuscaloosa

Formula: salary × (87.7 ÷ 93.3) = salary × 0.9400. 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×

Tuscaloosa, AL

Median Home Price
$213,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,525
Housing Index
58.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
11.6×

Morgantown has 15.8% lower housing costs compared to Tuscaloosa.

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

Tuscaloosa, AL

Median Household Income
$58,200
Per Capita Income
$33,200
Unemployment Rate
5.9%
Population
99,543
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareManufacturingAutomotiveGovernment

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)

Tuscaloosa, AL
3.2×income-to-rent ratio

69% 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.