Is it cheaper to live in Boston or Morgantown?

Morgantown, WV is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $950 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 59% below Boston, MA's $2,290, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $79,000 a year in Boston versus $31,000 in Morgantown.

Which has lower taxes, Boston or Morgantown?

Boston is taxed under Massachusetts's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Morgantown under West Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 4.82% and a 6% state sales tax).

Boston vs Morgantown Cost of Living 2026

Boston

Massachusetts

$2,290/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 $2,290 in Boston, MA versus $950 in Morgantown, WV. Overall, Morgantown, WV is roughly 59% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Boston, MA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $94,755 in Boston, MA and $42,245 in Morgantown, WV — about 55% higher in Boston, MA. Massachusetts has a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax; West Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 4.82% and a 6% state sales tax.

Boston, MA

Morgantown, WV

Rent

Studio

$1,890

$836

+56% in Boston, MA

1 Bedroom

$1,978

$770

+61% in Boston, MA

2 Bedroom

$2,155

$969

+55% in Boston, MA

3 Bedroom

$2,234

$1,038

+54% in Boston, MA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$710,400

$238,200

+66% in Boston, MA

Income

Median Household Income

$94,755

$42,245

+55% in Boston, MA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$66,620

$47,350

+29% in Boston, MA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

33.2 yr

24.0 yr

+9.2 yr in Boston, MA

Homeownership

35.4%

44.3%

+8.9 pp in Morgantown, WV

Bachelor's+ (25+)

54.1%

58.1%

+4.0 pp in Morgantown, WV

Avg Commute

30.2 min

17.3 min

+12.9 min in Boston, MA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

630.2

216.3

+66% in Boston, MA

Property Crime

2,030.8

1,976.4

+3% in Boston, MA

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

51.5°F

53.0°F

+1.5°F in Morgantown, WV

Annual Precipitation

43.8 in

41.8 in

+1.9 in in Boston, MA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.07/gal

$3.94/gal

+3% in Boston, MA

Area: Massachusetts vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

29.6

15.4

+48% in Boston, MA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$30.66

$24.68

+20% in Boston, MA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.00

+7% in Boston, MA

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$1.75

+9% in Boston, MA

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$2.21

+1% in Morgantown, WV

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$6.45

+6% in Boston, MA

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

$1.90

+13% in Boston, MA

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

$0.62

+11% in Boston, MA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MA / WV)

6.25%

+0.3 pp in MA

Income Tax (top rate)

9.00%

4.82%

+4.2 pp in MA

Boston vs Morgantown — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Boston or Morgantown?: Morgantown, WV is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $950 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 59% below Boston, MA's $2,290, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Boston than in Morgantown?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $79,000 a year in Boston versus $31,000 in Morgantown.
Which has lower taxes, Boston or Morgantown?: Boston is taxed under Massachusetts's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% 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).