Is it cheaper to live in Albuquerque or Morgantown?

Morgantown, WV is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $950 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 9% below Albuquerque, NM's $1,040, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Albuquerque than in Morgantown?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year in Albuquerque versus $31,000 in Morgantown.

Which has lower taxes, Albuquerque or Morgantown?

Albuquerque is taxed under New Mexico's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax); Morgantown under West Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 4.82% and a 6% state sales tax).

Albuquerque vs Morgantown Cost of Living 2026

Albuquerque

New Mexico

$1,040/mo est.

Morgantown

West Virginia

$950/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,040 in Albuquerque, NM versus $950 in Morgantown, WV. Overall, Morgantown, WV is roughly 9% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Albuquerque, NM, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $65,604 in Albuquerque, NM and $42,245 in Morgantown, WV — about 36% higher in Albuquerque, NM. New Mexico has a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax; West Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 4.82% and a 6% state sales tax.

Albuquerque, NM

Morgantown, WV

Rent

Studio

$797

$836

+5% in Morgantown, WV

1 Bedroom

$889

$770

+13% in Albuquerque, NM

2 Bedroom

$1,140

$969

+15% in Albuquerque, NM

3 Bedroom

$1,459

$1,038

+29% in Albuquerque, NM

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$266,700

$238,200

+11% in Albuquerque, NM

Income

Median Household Income

$65,604

$42,245

+36% in Albuquerque, NM

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$48,060

$47,350

+1% in Albuquerque, NM

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.7 yr

24.0 yr

+14.7 yr in Albuquerque, NM

Homeownership

61.5%

44.3%

+17.2 pp in Albuquerque, NM

Bachelor's+ (25+)

38.7%

58.1%

+19.4 pp in Morgantown, WV

Avg Commute

22.2 min

17.3 min

+4.9 min in Albuquerque, NM

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,194.3

216.3

+82% in Albuquerque, NM

Property Crime

4,766.6

1,976.4

+59% in Albuquerque, NM

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

57.2°F

53.0°F

+4.2°F in Albuquerque, NM

Annual Precipitation

9.4 in

41.8 in

+32.4 in in Morgantown, WV

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$3.94/gal

+9% in Morgantown, WV

Area: Gulf Coast (PADD 3) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

Free

—

Adult base one-way fare — ABQ RIDE vs — (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.1

15.4

+3% in Morgantown, WV

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$9.31

$24.68

+165% in Morgantown, WV

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.00

+17% in Albuquerque, NM

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.75

+14% in Albuquerque, NM

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$2.21

+1% in Morgantown, WV

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.45

+12% in Albuquerque, NM

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$1.90

+6% in Albuquerque, NM

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Albuquerque, NM

Average prices — West vs South (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (NM / WV)

4.875%

+1.1 pp in WV

Income Tax (top rate)

5.90%

4.82%

+1.1 pp in NM

Albuquerque vs Morgantown — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Albuquerque or Morgantown?: Morgantown, WV is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $950 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 9% below Albuquerque, NM's $1,040, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Albuquerque than in Morgantown?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year in Albuquerque versus $31,000 in Morgantown.
Which has lower taxes, Albuquerque or Morgantown?: Albuquerque is taxed under New Mexico's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax); Morgantown under West Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 4.82% and a 6% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).