Living Cost Compare
Cedar Rapids

Iowa

$900/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 $900 in Cedar Rapids, IA versus $950 in Morgantown, WV. Overall, Cedar Rapids, IA is roughly 5% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Morgantown, WV, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $67,859 in Cedar Rapids, IA and $42,245 in Morgantown, WV — about 38% higher in Cedar Rapids, IA. Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax; West Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 4.82% and a 6% state sales tax.

Cedar Rapids, IA
Morgantown, WV

Rent

Studio
$659
$836
+27% in Morgantown, WV
1 Bedroom
$716
$770
+8% in Morgantown, WV
2 Bedroom
$997
$969
+3% in Cedar Rapids, IA
3 Bedroom
$1,335
$1,038
+22% in Cedar Rapids, IA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$177,100
$238,200
+35% in Morgantown, WV

Income

Median Household Income
$67,859
$42,245
+38% in Cedar Rapids, IA
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$49,360
$47,350
+4% in Cedar Rapids, IA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
36.9 yr
24.0 yr
+12.9 yr in Cedar Rapids, IA
Homeownership
68.2%
44.3%
+23.9 pp in Cedar Rapids, IA
Bachelor's+ (25+)
32.9%
58.1%
+25.2 pp in Morgantown, WV
Avg Commute
18.2 min
17.3 min
+0.9 min in Cedar Rapids, IA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
264.5
216.3
+18% in Cedar Rapids, IA
Property Crime
2,726
1,976.4
+27% in Cedar Rapids, IA

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature
48.2°F
53.0°F
+4.8°F in Morgantown, WV
Annual Precipitation
34.6 in
41.8 in
+7.2 in in Morgantown, WV

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.85/gal
$3.94/gal
+2% in Morgantown, WV

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
15.9
15.4
+3% in Cedar Rapids, IA
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$22.16
$24.68
+11% in Morgantown, WV

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.31
$4.00
+7% in Cedar Rapids, IA
Bread (lb)
$1.66
$1.75
+5% in Morgantown, WV
Eggs (doz)
$3.63
$2.21
+39% in Cedar Rapids, IA
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.77
$6.45
+5% in Cedar Rapids, IA
Chicken (lb)
$2.10
$1.90
+9% in Cedar Rapids, IA
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$0.62
about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IA / WV)
6%
6%
about equal
Income Tax (top rate)
3.80%
4.82%
+1.0 pp in WV

Cedar Rapids vs Morgantown — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Cedar Rapids or Morgantown?
Cedar Rapids, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $900 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 5% below Morgantown, WV's $950, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Cedar Rapids than in Morgantown?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $29,000 a year in Cedar Rapids versus $31,000 in Morgantown.
Which has lower taxes, Cedar Rapids or Morgantown?
Cedar Rapids is taxed under Iowa's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% 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).