Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or Morgantown?

Morgantown, WV is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $950 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 35% below Chicago, IL's $1,470, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year in Chicago versus $31,000 in Morgantown.

Which has lower taxes, Chicago or Morgantown?

Chicago is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% 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).

Chicago vs Morgantown Cost of Living 2026

Chicago

Illinois

$1,470/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 $1,470 in Chicago, IL versus $950 in Morgantown, WV. Overall, Morgantown, WV is roughly 35% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Chicago, IL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $75,134 in Chicago, IL and $42,245 in Morgantown, WV — about 44% higher in Chicago, IL. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% 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.

Chicago, IL

Morgantown, WV

Rent

Studio

$1,186

$836

+30% in Chicago, IL

1 Bedroom

$1,258

$770

+39% in Chicago, IL

2 Bedroom

$1,406

$969

+31% in Chicago, IL

3 Bedroom

$1,554

$1,038

+33% in Chicago, IL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$315,200

$238,200

+24% in Chicago, IL

Income

Median Household Income

$75,134

$42,245

+44% in Chicago, IL

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,720

$47,350

+13% in Chicago, IL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.7 yr

24.0 yr

+11.7 yr in Chicago, IL

Homeownership

45.5%

44.3%

+1.2 pp in Chicago, IL

Bachelor's+ (25+)

43.3%

58.1%

+14.8 pp in Morgantown, WV

Avg Commute

33.5 min

17.3 min

+16.2 min in Chicago, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

539.8

216.3

+60% in Chicago, IL

Property Crime

3,489.9

1,976.4

+43% in Chicago, IL

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

52.7°F

53.0°F

+0.3°F in Morgantown, WV

Annual Precipitation

38.0 in

41.8 in

+3.9 in in Morgantown, WV

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.24/gal

$3.94/gal

+7% in Chicago, IL

Area: Chicago vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.50

—

Adult base one-way fare — CTA vs — (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.9

15.4

+22% in Chicago, IL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$19.71

$24.68

+25% in Morgantown, WV

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.00

+7% in Chicago, IL

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.75

+5% in Morgantown, WV

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.21

+39% in Chicago, IL

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.45

+5% in Chicago, IL

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$1.90

+9% in Chicago, IL

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IL / WV)

6.25%

+0.3 pp in IL

Income Tax (top rate)

4.95%

4.82%

+0.1 pp in IL

Chicago vs Morgantown — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or Morgantown?: Morgantown, WV is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $950 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 35% below Chicago, IL's $1,470, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Chicago than in Morgantown?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year in Chicago versus $31,000 in Morgantown.
Which has lower taxes, Chicago or Morgantown?: Chicago is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% 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).