Is it cheaper to live in Columbus or Morgantown?

Morgantown, WV is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $950 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 25% below Columbus, OH's $1,270, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $42,000 a year in Columbus versus $31,000 in Morgantown.

Which has lower taxes, Columbus or Morgantown?

Columbus 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).

Columbus vs Morgantown Cost of Living 2026

Columbus

Ohio

$1,270/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 $1,270 in Columbus, OH versus $950 in Morgantown, WV. Overall, Morgantown, WV is roughly 25% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Columbus, OH, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $65,327 in Columbus, OH and $42,245 in Morgantown, WV — about 35% higher in Columbus, 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.

Columbus, OH

Morgantown, WV

Rent

Studio

$1,014

$836

+18% in Columbus, OH

1 Bedroom

$1,059

$770

+27% in Columbus, OH

2 Bedroom

$1,276

$969

+24% in Columbus, OH

3 Bedroom

$1,369

$1,038

+24% in Columbus, OH

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$234,500

$238,200

+2% in Morgantown, WV

Income

Median Household Income

$65,327

$42,245

+35% in Columbus, OH

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,340

$47,350

+8% in Columbus, OH

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

33.0 yr

24.0 yr

+9.0 yr in Columbus, OH

Homeownership

44.3%

about equal

Bachelor's+ (25+)

38.2%

58.1%

+19.9 pp in Morgantown, WV

Avg Commute

21.8 min

17.3 min

+4.5 min in Columbus, OH

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

485.2

216.3

+55% in Columbus, OH

Property Crime

3,093.9

1,976.4

+36% in Columbus, OH

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

40.1 in

41.8 in

+1.7 in in Morgantown, WV

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.80/gal

$3.94/gal

+4% in Morgantown, WV

Area: Ohio vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.00

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.2

15.4

+19% in Columbus, 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 Columbus, OH

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.75

+5% in Morgantown, WV

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.21

+39% in Columbus, OH

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.45

+5% in Columbus, OH

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$1.90

+9% in Columbus, 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

Columbus vs Morgantown — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Columbus or Morgantown?: Morgantown, WV is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $950 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 25% below Columbus, OH's $1,270, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Columbus than in Morgantown?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $42,000 a year in Columbus versus $31,000 in Morgantown.
Which has lower taxes, Columbus or Morgantown?: Columbus 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).