Is it cheaper to live in Boise or Morgantown?

Morgantown, WV is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $950 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 26% below Boise, ID's $1,280, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $45,000 a year in Boise versus $31,000 in Morgantown.

Which has lower taxes, Boise or Morgantown?

Boise is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% 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).

Boise vs Morgantown Cost of Living 2026

Boise

Idaho

$1,280/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 $1,280 in Boise, ID versus $950 in Morgantown, WV. Overall, Morgantown, WV is roughly 26% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Boise, ID, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $81,308 in Boise, ID and $42,245 in Morgantown, WV — about 48% higher in Boise, ID. Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax; West Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 4.82% and a 6% state sales tax.

Boise, ID

Morgantown, WV

Rent

Studio

$1,021

$836

+18% in Boise, ID

1 Bedroom

$1,133

$770

+32% in Boise, ID

2 Bedroom

$1,342

$969

+28% in Boise, ID

3 Bedroom

$1,749

$1,038

+41% in Boise, ID

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$456,000

$238,200

+48% in Boise, ID

Income

Median Household Income

$81,308

$42,245

+48% in Boise, ID

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,100

$47,350

+4% in Boise, ID

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.2 yr

24.0 yr

+14.2 yr in Boise, ID

Homeownership

63.0%

44.3%

+18.7 pp in Boise, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

46.6%

58.1%

+11.5 pp in Morgantown, WV

Avg Commute

19.1 min

17.3 min

+1.8 min in Boise, ID

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

301

216.3

+28% in Boise, ID

Property Crime

1,135.1

1,976.4

+74% in Morgantown, WV

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

52.5°F

53.0°F

+0.5°F in Morgantown, WV

Annual Precipitation

11.7 in

41.8 in

+30.1 in in Morgantown, WV

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.27/gal

$3.94/gal

+8% in Boise, ID

Area: Rocky Mountain (PADD 4) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.4

15.4

+8% in Morgantown, WV

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.33

$24.68

+118% in Morgantown, WV

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.00

+17% in Boise, ID

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.75

+14% in Boise, ID

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$2.21

+1% in Morgantown, WV

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.45

+12% in Boise, ID

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$1.90

+6% in Boise, ID

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Boise, ID

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ID / WV)

about equal

Income Tax (top rate)

5.30%

4.82%

+0.5 pp in ID

Boise vs Morgantown — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Boise or Morgantown?: Morgantown, WV is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $950 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 26% below Boise, ID's $1,280, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Boise than in Morgantown?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $45,000 a year in Boise versus $31,000 in Morgantown.
Which has lower taxes, Boise or Morgantown?: Boise is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% 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).