Is it cheaper to live in Fargo or Morgantown?

Morgantown, WV is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $950 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 1% below Fargo, ND's $960, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Fargo versus $31,000 in Morgantown.

Which has lower taxes, Fargo or Morgantown?

Fargo is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Morgantown under West Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 4.82% and a 6% state sales tax).

Fargo vs Morgantown Cost of Living 2026

Fargo

North Dakota

$960/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 $960 in Fargo, ND versus $950 in Morgantown, WV. Overall, Morgantown, WV is roughly 1% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Fargo, ND, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $66,029 in Fargo, ND and $42,245 in Morgantown, WV — about 36% higher in Fargo, ND. North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax; West Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 4.82% and a 6% state sales tax.

Fargo, ND

Morgantown, WV

Rent

Studio

$671

$836

+25% in Morgantown, WV

1 Bedroom

$804

$770

+4% in Fargo, ND

2 Bedroom

$956

$969

+1% in Morgantown, WV

3 Bedroom

$1,368

$1,038

+24% in Fargo, ND

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$269,800

$238,200

+12% in Fargo, ND

Income

Median Household Income

$66,029

$42,245

+36% in Fargo, ND

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,050

$47,350

+7% in Fargo, ND

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.2 yr

24.0 yr

+8.2 yr in Fargo, ND

Homeownership

44.1%

44.3%

+0.2 pp in Morgantown, WV

Bachelor's+ (25+)

43.2%

58.1%

+14.9 pp in Morgantown, WV

Avg Commute

15.8 min

17.3 min

+1.5 min in Morgantown, WV

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

504.9

216.3

+57% in Fargo, ND

Property Crime

3,726.4

1,976.4

+47% in Fargo, ND

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

42.4°F

53.0°F

+10.6°F in Morgantown, WV

Annual Precipitation

22.6 in

41.8 in

+19.3 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)

14.1

15.4

+9% in Morgantown, WV

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.21

$24.68

+36% in Morgantown, WV

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.00

+7% in Fargo, ND

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.75

+5% in Morgantown, WV

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.21

+39% in Fargo, ND

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.45

+5% in Fargo, ND

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$1.90

+9% in Fargo, ND

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ND / WV)

+1.0 pp in WV

Income Tax (top rate)

2.50%

4.82%

+2.3 pp in WV

Fargo vs Morgantown — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Fargo or Morgantown?: Morgantown, WV is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $950 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 1% below Fargo, ND's $960, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Fargo than in Morgantown?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Fargo versus $31,000 in Morgantown.
Which has lower taxes, Fargo or Morgantown?: Fargo is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% 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).