Is it cheaper to live in Annapolis or Morgantown?

Morgantown, WV is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $950 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 48% below Annapolis, MD's $1,830, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $64,000 a year in Annapolis versus $31,000 in Morgantown.

Which has lower taxes, Annapolis or Morgantown?

Annapolis is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Morgantown under West Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 4.82% and a 6% state sales tax).

Annapolis vs Morgantown Cost of Living 2026

Annapolis

Maryland

$1,830/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 $1,830 in Annapolis, MD versus $950 in Morgantown, WV. Overall, Morgantown, WV is roughly 48% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Annapolis, MD, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $104,257 in Annapolis, MD and $42,245 in Morgantown, WV — about 59% higher in Annapolis, MD. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax; West Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 4.82% and a 6% state sales tax.

Annapolis, MD

Morgantown, WV

Rent

Studio

$1,239

$836

+33% in Annapolis, MD

1 Bedroom

$1,598

$770

+52% in Annapolis, MD

2 Bedroom

$1,864

$969

+48% in Annapolis, MD

3 Bedroom

$2,232

$1,038

+53% in Annapolis, MD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$510,200

$238,200

+53% in Annapolis, MD

Income

Median Household Income

$104,257

$42,245

+59% in Annapolis, MD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$59,070

$47,350

+20% in Annapolis, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

40.9 yr

24.0 yr

+16.9 yr in Annapolis, MD

Homeownership

59.8%

44.3%

+15.5 pp in Annapolis, MD

Bachelor's+ (25+)

53.7%

58.1%

+4.4 pp in Morgantown, WV

Avg Commute

28.7 min

17.3 min

+11.4 min in Annapolis, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

806

216.3

+73% in Annapolis, MD

Property Crime

2,111.5

1,976.4

+6% in Annapolis, MD

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

57.1°F

53.0°F

+4.1°F in Annapolis, MD

Annual Precipitation

—

41.8 in

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.8

15.4

+29% in Annapolis, MD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.57

$24.68

+9% in Morgantown, WV

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.75

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MD / WV)

about equal

Income Tax (top rate)

6.50%

4.82%

+1.7 pp in MD

Annapolis vs Morgantown — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Annapolis or Morgantown?: Morgantown, WV is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $950 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 48% below Annapolis, MD's $1,830, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Annapolis than in Morgantown?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $64,000 a year in Annapolis versus $31,000 in Morgantown.
Which has lower taxes, Annapolis or Morgantown?: Annapolis is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% 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).