Is it cheaper to live in Detroit or Morgantown?

Morgantown, WV is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $950 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 4% below Detroit, MI's $990, mainly because of electricity costs.

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

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

Which has lower taxes, Detroit or Morgantown?

Detroit is taxed under Michigan's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.25% 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).

Detroit vs Morgantown Cost of Living 2026

Detroit

Michigan

$990/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 $990 in Detroit, MI versus $950 in Morgantown, WV. Overall, Morgantown, WV is roughly 4% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Detroit, MI, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $39,575 in Detroit, MI and $42,245 in Morgantown, WV — about 6% higher in Morgantown, WV. Michigan has a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax; West Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 4.82% and a 6% state sales tax.

Detroit, MI

Morgantown, WV

Rent

Studio

$801

$836

+4% in Morgantown, WV

1 Bedroom

$752

$770

+2% in Morgantown, WV

2 Bedroom

$1,001

$969

+3% in Detroit, MI

3 Bedroom

$1,195

$1,038

+13% in Detroit, MI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$76,800

$238,200

+210% in Morgantown, WV

Income

Median Household Income

$39,575

$42,245

+7% in Morgantown, WV

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$52,080

$47,350

+9% in Detroit, MI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.1 yr

24.0 yr

+11.1 yr in Detroit, MI

Homeownership

49.7%

44.3%

+5.4 pp in Detroit, MI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

17.6%

58.1%

+40.5 pp in Morgantown, WV

Avg Commute

25.4 min

17.3 min

+8.1 min in Detroit, MI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,783.4

216.3

+88% in Detroit, MI

Property Crime

4,391.6

1,976.4

+55% in Detroit, MI

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

50.3°F

53.0°F

+2.7°F in Morgantown, WV

Annual Precipitation

31.3 in

41.8 in

+10.5 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)

23.0

15.4

+33% in Detroit, MI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$19.72

$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 Detroit, MI

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.75

+5% in Morgantown, WV

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.21

+39% in Detroit, MI

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.45

+5% in Detroit, MI

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$1.90

+9% in Detroit, MI

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MI / WV)

about equal

Income Tax (top rate)

4.25%

4.82%

+0.6 pp in WV

Detroit vs Morgantown — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Detroit or Morgantown?: Morgantown, WV is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $950 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 4% below Detroit, MI's $990, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Detroit than in Morgantown?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $30,000 a year in Detroit versus $31,000 in Morgantown.
Which has lower taxes, Detroit or Morgantown?: Detroit is taxed under Michigan's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.25% 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).