Living Cost Compare
Morgantown

West Virginia

$950/mo est.

vs
Overland Park

Kansas

$1,410/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $950 in Morgantown, WV versus $1,410 in Overland Park, KS. Overall, Morgantown, WV is roughly 33% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Overland Park, KS, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $42,245 in Morgantown, WV and $103,838 in Overland Park, KS — about 59% higher in Overland Park, KS. West Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 4.82% and a 6% state sales tax; Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Morgantown, WV
Overland Park, KS

Rent

Studio
$836
$1,270
+52% in Overland Park, KS
1 Bedroom
$770
$1,224
+59% in Overland Park, KS
2 Bedroom
$969
$1,589
+64% in Overland Park, KS
3 Bedroom
$1,038
$1,828
+76% in Overland Park, KS

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$238,200
$384,400
+61% in Overland Park, KS

Income

Median Household Income
$42,245
$103,838
+146% in Overland Park, KS
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$47,350
$50,820
+7% in Overland Park, KS

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
24.0 yr
38.6 yr
+14.6 yr in Overland Park, KS
Homeownership
44.3%
61.5%
+17.2 pp in Overland Park, KS
Bachelor's+ (25+)
58.1%
62.9%
+4.8 pp in Overland Park, KS
Avg Commute
17.3 min
19.9 min
+2.6 min in Overland Park, KS

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
216.3
188.4
+13% in Morgantown, WV
Property Crime
1,976.4
1,790.5
+9% 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
53.0°F
55.2°F
+2.2°F in Overland Park, KS
Annual Precipitation
41.8 in
40.0 in
+1.8 in in Morgantown, WV

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.94/gal
$3.85/gal
+2% in Morgantown, WV

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
15.4
15.7
+2% in Overland Park, KS
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$24.68
$25.12
+2% in Overland Park, KS

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.00
$4.31
+8% in Overland Park, KS
Bread (lb)
$1.75
$1.66
+5% in Morgantown, WV
Eggs (doz)
$2.21
$3.63
+64% in Overland Park, KS
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.45
$6.77
+5% in Overland Park, KS
Chicken (lb)
$1.90
$2.10
+10% in Overland Park, KS
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$0.62
about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (WV / KS)
6%
6.5%
+0.5 pp in KS
Income Tax (top rate)
4.82%
5.58%
+0.8 pp in KS

Morgantown vs Overland Park — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Morgantown or Overland Park?
Morgantown, WV is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $950 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 33% below Overland Park, KS's $1,410, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Morgantown than in Overland Park?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $31,000 a year in Morgantown versus $49,000 in Overland Park.
Which has lower taxes, Morgantown or Overland Park?
Morgantown is taxed under West Virginia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.82% and a 6% state sales tax); Overland Park under Kansas's (a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% 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).