Is it cheaper to live in Cincinnati or Morgantown?

Morgantown, WV is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $950 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 8% below Cincinnati, OH's $1,030, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Cincinnati versus $31,000 in Morgantown.

Which has lower taxes, Cincinnati or Morgantown?

Cincinnati is taxed under Ohio's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax); Morgantown under West Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 4.82% and a 6% state sales tax).

Cincinnati vs Morgantown Cost of Living 2026

Cincinnati

Ohio

$1,030/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 $1,030 in Cincinnati, OH versus $950 in Morgantown, WV. Overall, Morgantown, WV is roughly 8% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Cincinnati, OH, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $51,707 in Cincinnati, OH and $42,245 in Morgantown, WV — about 18% higher in Cincinnati, OH. Ohio has a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax; West Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 4.82% and a 6% state sales tax.

Cincinnati, OH

Morgantown, WV

Rent

Studio

$791

$836

+6% in Morgantown, WV

1 Bedroom

$817

$770

+6% in Cincinnati, OH

2 Bedroom

$1,023

$969

+5% in Cincinnati, OH

3 Bedroom

$1,228

$1,038

+15% in Cincinnati, OH

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$215,300

$238,200

+11% in Morgantown, WV

Income

Median Household Income

$51,707

$42,245

+18% in Cincinnati, OH

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$50,170

$47,350

+6% in Cincinnati, OH

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

33.0 yr

24.0 yr

+9.0 yr in Cincinnati, OH

Homeownership

38.9%

44.3%

+5.4 pp in Morgantown, WV

Bachelor's+ (25+)

41.3%

58.1%

+16.8 pp in Morgantown, WV

Avg Commute

23.1 min

17.3 min

+5.8 min in Cincinnati, OH

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

856.5

216.3

+75% in Cincinnati, OH

Property Crime

3,877.7

1,976.4

+49% in Cincinnati, OH

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

54.3°F

53.0°F

+1.3°F in Cincinnati, OH

Annual Precipitation

41.9 in

41.8 in

+0.1 in in Cincinnati, OH

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.80/gal

$3.94/gal

+4% in Morgantown, WV

Area: Ohio vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.2

15.4

+19% in Cincinnati, OH

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.83

$24.68

+8% in Morgantown, WV

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.00

+7% in Cincinnati, OH

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.75

+5% in Morgantown, WV

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.21

+39% in Cincinnati, OH

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.45

+5% in Cincinnati, OH

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$1.90

+9% in Cincinnati, OH

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (OH / WV)

5.75%

+0.3 pp in WV

Income Tax (top rate)

2.75%

4.82%

+2.1 pp in WV

Cincinnati vs Morgantown — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Cincinnati or Morgantown?: Morgantown, WV is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $950 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 8% below Cincinnati, OH's $1,030, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Cincinnati than in Morgantown?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Cincinnati versus $31,000 in Morgantown.
Which has lower taxes, Cincinnati or Morgantown?: Cincinnati is taxed under Ohio's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% 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).