Living Cost Compare
Grand Rapids

Michigan

$1,200/mo est.

vs
Morgantown

West Virginia

$950/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,200 in Grand Rapids, MI versus $950 in Morgantown, WV. Overall, Morgantown, WV is roughly 21% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Grand Rapids, MI, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $65,526 in Grand Rapids, MI and $42,245 in Morgantown, WV — about 36% higher in Grand Rapids, MI. 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.

Grand Rapids, MI
Morgantown, WV

Rent

Studio
$992
$836
+16% in Grand Rapids, MI
1 Bedroom
$964
$770
+20% in Grand Rapids, MI
2 Bedroom
$1,206
$969
+20% in Grand Rapids, MI
3 Bedroom
$1,421
$1,038
+27% in Grand Rapids, MI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$225,500
$238,200
+6% in Morgantown, WV

Income

Median Household Income
$65,526
$42,245
+36% in Grand Rapids, MI
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$47,570
$47,350
+0% in Grand Rapids, MI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
32.1 yr
24.0 yr
+8.1 yr in Grand Rapids, MI
Homeownership
54.6%
44.3%
+10.3 pp in Grand Rapids, MI
Bachelor's+ (25+)
40.1%
58.1%
+18.0 pp in Morgantown, WV
Avg Commute
19.4 min
17.3 min
+2.1 min in Grand Rapids, MI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
910.1
216.3
+76% in Grand Rapids, MI
Property Crime
2,506.2
1,976.4
+21% in Grand Rapids, MI

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature
49.1°F
53.0°F
+3.9°F in Morgantown, WV
Annual Precipitation
38.3 in
41.8 in
+3.6 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 Grand Rapids, 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 Grand Rapids, MI
Bread (lb)
$1.66
$1.75
+5% in Morgantown, WV
Eggs (doz)
$3.63
$2.21
+39% in Grand Rapids, MI
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.77
$6.45
+5% in Grand Rapids, MI
Chicken (lb)
$2.10
$1.90
+9% in Grand Rapids, MI
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$0.62
about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MI / WV)
6%
6%
about equal
Income Tax (top rate)
4.25%
4.82%
+0.6 pp in WV

Grand Rapids vs Morgantown — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Grand Rapids or Morgantown?
Morgantown, WV is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $950 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 21% below Grand Rapids, MI's $1,200, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Grand Rapids than in Morgantown?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Grand Rapids versus $31,000 in Morgantown.
Which has lower taxes, Grand Rapids or Morgantown?
Grand Rapids 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).