Is it cheaper to live in Madison or Morgantown?

Morgantown, WV is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $950 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 33% below Madison, WI's $1,420, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $49,000 a year in Madison versus $31,000 in Morgantown.

Which has lower taxes, Madison or Morgantown?

Madison is taxed under Wisconsin's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% 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).

Madison vs Morgantown Cost of Living 2026

Madison

Wisconsin

$1,420/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 $1,420 in Madison, WI versus $950 in Morgantown, WV. Overall, Morgantown, WV is roughly 33% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Madison, WI, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $76,983 in Madison, WI and $42,245 in Morgantown, WV — about 45% higher in Madison, WI. Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax; West Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 4.82% and a 6% state sales tax.

Madison, WI

Morgantown, WV

Rent

Studio

$1,018

$836

+18% in Madison, WI

1 Bedroom

$1,219

$770

+37% in Madison, WI

2 Bedroom

$1,432

$969

+32% in Madison, WI

3 Bedroom

$1,766

$1,038

+41% in Madison, WI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$346,900

$238,200

+31% in Madison, WI

Income

Median Household Income

$76,983

$42,245

+45% in Madison, WI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$58,080

$47,350

+18% in Madison, WI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

31.8 yr

24.0 yr

+7.8 yr in Madison, WI

Homeownership

46.6%

44.3%

+2.3 pp in Madison, WI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

59.2%

58.1%

+1.1 pp in Madison, WI

Avg Commute

19.4 min

17.3 min

+2.1 min in Madison, WI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

259.5

216.3

+17% in Madison, WI

Property Crime

1,884.5

1,976.4

+5% in Morgantown, WV

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

46.5°F

53.0°F

+6.5°F in Morgantown, WV

Annual Precipitation

34.5 in

41.8 in

+7.4 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)

19.6

15.4

+21% in Madison, WI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.17

$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 Madison, WI

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.75

+5% in Morgantown, WV

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.21

+39% in Madison, WI

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.45

+5% in Madison, WI

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$1.90

+9% in Madison, WI

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (WI / WV)

+1.0 pp in WV

Income Tax (top rate)

7.65%

4.82%

+2.8 pp in WI

Madison vs Morgantown — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Madison or Morgantown?: Morgantown, WV is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $950 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 33% below Madison, WI's $1,420, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Madison than in Morgantown?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $49,000 a year in Madison versus $31,000 in Morgantown.
Which has lower taxes, Madison or Morgantown?: Madison is taxed under Wisconsin's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% 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).