Living Cost Compare
Augusta

Georgia

$1,130/mo est.

vs
Morgantown

West Virginia

$950/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,130 in Augusta, GA versus $950 in Morgantown, WV. Overall, Morgantown, WV is roughly 16% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Augusta, GA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,134 in Augusta, GA and $42,245 in Morgantown, WV — about 20% higher in Augusta, GA. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; West Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 4.82% and a 6% state sales tax.

Rent

Studio
$784
$836
+7% in Morgantown, WV
1 Bedroom
$916
$770
+16% in Augusta, GA
2 Bedroom
$1,035
$969
+6% in Augusta, GA
3 Bedroom
$1,230
$1,038
+16% in Augusta, GA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$162,900
$238,200
+46% in Morgantown, WV

Income

Median Household Income
$53,134
$42,245
+20% in Augusta, GA
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$45,990
$47,350
+3% in Morgantown, WV

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
34.9 yr
24.0 yr
+10.9 yr in Augusta, GA
Homeownership
50.9%
44.3%
+6.6 pp in Augusta, GA
Bachelor's+ (25+)
24.2%
58.1%
+33.9 pp in Morgantown, WV
Avg Commute
20.6 min
17.3 min
+3.3 min in Augusta, GA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
546.7
216.3
+60% in Augusta, GA
Property Crime
3,652
1,976.4
+46% in Augusta, GA

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature
65.2°F
53.0°F
+12.2°F in Augusta, GA
Annual Precipitation
46.5 in
41.8 in
+4.7 in in Augusta, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.94/gal
$3.94/gal
about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
16.4
15.4
+6% in Augusta, GA
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$38.60
$24.68
+36% in Augusta, GA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.00
$4.00
about equal
Bread (lb)
$1.75
$1.75
about equal
Eggs (doz)
$2.21
$2.21
about equal
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.45
$6.45
about equal
Chicken (lb)
$1.90
$1.90
about equal
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$0.62
about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / WV)
4%
6%
+2.0 pp in WV
Income Tax (top rate)
5.19%
4.82%
+0.4 pp in GA

Augusta vs Morgantown — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Morgantown?
Morgantown, WV is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $950 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 16% below Augusta, GA's $1,130, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Augusta than in Morgantown?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Augusta versus $31,000 in Morgantown.
Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Morgantown?
Augusta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% 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).