West VirginiaPop. 30,236Small cities
Is Morgantown a Good Place to Live? Morgantown, West Virginia: cost of living, crime, schools and rankings
Morgantown ranks #831 of the 1,312 US cities we track, #143 of 208 small cities and #4 of 20 in West Virginia. Against similar-size cities it stands out for short commutes (16.2 min, #26 of 208) and low rents ($937/mo, #47 of 208), and trails on high poverty (30.4%, #202 of 208) and low household income ($44,727, #199 of 208).
Morgantown by the numbers
The measures people check first, each with Morgantown's rank among the tracked cities and the US figure (or the similar-size median where there is no national figure).
What is the cost of living in Morgantown?
Morgantown's cost of living index is 93.3, 7% below the US level of 100 and #389 of 1,308 cities with data (1 = cheapest). Median rent is $937/mo against $1,178/mo in similar-size cities. The typical home is worth $285,604, 59% above the typical West Virginia home ($179,496).
| Measure | Morgantown | West VirginiaWV | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of living indexBEA Regional Price Parities, metro area · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size 92.6 · US 100 | 93.3#389 of 1,308 | 89.5 | 92.6 | 100 |
| Typical home valueZillow Home Value Index · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $305,499 · US $368,697 | $285,604#340 of 1,187 | $179,496 | $305,499 | $368,697 |
| Typical asking rentZillow Observed Rent Index · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $1,536/mo · US $1,948/mo | $1,360/mo#218 of 1,115 | — | $1,536/mo | $1,948/mo |
| Median home value (Census)Census ACS · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $261,400 | $259,400#413 of 1,309 | — | $261,400 | — |
| Median rent (Census)Census ACS · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $1,178/mo | $937/mo#141 of 1,309 | — | $1,178/mo | — |
| Home value to incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 3.5x | 5.8x#1003 of 1,309 | — | 3.5x | — |
| Rent as a share of incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 19.9% | 25.1%#1012 of 1,309 | — | 19.9% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 208 cities of 25,000 to 50,000 we track (median). West Virginia is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. Zillow figures track homes and rentals on the market now; Census figures are survey medians of all homes and leases, so the two differ.
Morgantown housing market · August
Typical home value is a monthly index of homes in the middle third of the market; the Census figures above are survey medians and will differ. Source in the data sources list below. Morgantown is in the Morgantown, WV metro.
West Virginia housing market →Is Morgantown safe?
Morgantown recorded 239 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, 27% below the US rate of 328 and 1% below West Virginia's 242. That ranks #435 of 1,085 cities with data (1 = safest) and #80 of 174 small cities, from a full year of reports to the FBI by Morgantown Police Department. Property crime runs 1,690 per 100,000 (US 1,548).
| Measure | Morgantown | West VirginiaWV | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent crime per 100,000FBI Crime Data Explorer · rank 1 = safestSimilar-size 258 · US 328 | 239#435 of 1,085 | 242 | 258 | 328 |
| Property crime per 100,000FBI Crime Data Explorer · rank 1 = safestSimilar-size 1,540 · US 1,548 | 1,690#571 of 1,085 | 1,053 | 1,540 | 1,548 |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 208 cities of 25,000 to 50,000 we track (median). West Virginia is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. City rates come from each police agency's report to the FBI and are not strictly comparable across agencies.
What do people earn in Morgantown?
The median household in Morgantown earns $44,727, 46% below the US figure of $83,163 and 26% below West Virginia ($60,798). Unemployment is 4.2% (US 4.3%). 30.4% of residents live below the poverty line. The population fell 0.1% in the latest year (US +0.5%).
| Measure | Morgantown | West VirginiaWV | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median household incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size $71,675 · US $83,163 | $44,727#1286 of 1,312 | $60,798 | $71,675 | $83,163 |
| Unemployment rateBLS LAUS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 3.7% · US 4.3% | 4.2%#576 of 1,058 | 4.2% | 3.7% | 4.3% |
| Poverty rateCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 13% | 30.4%#1295 of 1,312 | — | 13% | — |
| Population growth, one yearCensus population estimates · rank 1 = fastestSimilar-size +0.2% · US +0.5% | -0.1%#723 of 1,132 | -0.1% | +0.2% | +0.5% |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 208 cities of 25,000 to 50,000 we track (median). West Virginia is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure.
Who lives in Morgantown?
The median resident of Morgantown is 23.9 years old, against 37.3 in similar-size cities. 58.5% of adults have a bachelor's degree or more, #144 of 1,312 cities (1 = highest). 43.7% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners; the rest are rented.
| Measure | Morgantown | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median ageCensus ACSSimilar-size 37.3 | 23.9 | 37.3 | — |
| Adults with a bachelor's degree or moreCensus ACS · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size 32.5% | 58.5%#144 of 1,312 | 32.5% | — |
| Homes lived in by their ownerCensus ACSSimilar-size 62.3% | 43.7% | 62.3% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 208 cities of 25,000 to 50,000 we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure.
How are Morgantown's schools and health?
Morgantown's 9 public schools graduate 92% of students in four years (West Virginia 91.2%), with 15.1 students per teacher and $14,414 spent per pupil. 31.5% of adults are obese and 8% have diabetes, against similar-size city medians of 35.6% and 11.5%.
| Measure | Morgantown | West VirginiaWV | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High school graduation rateDepartment of Education EDFacts · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size 89% | 92%#222 of 1,063 | 91.2% | 89% | — |
| Students per teacherNCES Common Core of Data · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 14.9 | 15.1#478 of 1,188 | — | 14.9 | — |
| Spending per pupilNCES school finance survey · rank 1 = mostSimilar-size $13,509 | $14,414#656 of 1,188 | — | $13,509 | — |
| Adult obesityCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 35.6% | 31.5%#502 of 1,311 | — | 35.6% | — |
| Adult diabetesCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 11.5% | 8%#105 of 1,311 | — | 11.5% | — |
| Adults with frequent mental distressCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 17.3% | 26.5%#1310 of 1,311 | — | 17.3% | — |
| Adults without health insuranceCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 9.2% | 9.3%#557 of 1,311 | — | 9.2% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 208 cities of 25,000 to 50,000 we track (median). West Virginia is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. 6,338 students are enrolled in Morgantown's public schools.
What are the commute and weather like in Morgantown?
The average commute in Morgantown is 16.2 minutes (West Virginia 26.5); 1.5% of workers take transit and 14.6% work from home. On the EPA's walkability index Morgantown scores 8.7 of 20 (below average walkable), #895 of 1,312 cities (1 = most walkable). Summers average 72.4°F and winters 34.4°F, with 43.2 inches of precipitation a year.
| Measure | Morgantown | West VirginiaWV | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average commuteCensus ACS · rank 1 = shortestSimilar-size 21.5 min | 16.2 min#103 of 1,312 | 26.5 min | 21.5 min | — |
| Commutes of an hour or moreCensus ACS · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 4.6% | 2%#55 of 1,312 | 9.8% | 4.6% | — |
| Drive alone to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 75.7% | 61.6% | 77.6% | 75.7% | — |
| Take transit to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 0.5% | 1.5% | 0.6% | 0.5% | — |
| Walk to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 1.6% | 12.4% | 2.6% | 1.6% | — |
| Bike to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 0.2% | 0.5% | 0.2% | 0.2% | — |
| Work from homeCensus ACSSimilar-size 10% | 14.6% | 8.8% | 10% | — |
| Walkability index (1 to 20)EPA National Walkability Index · rank 1 = most walkableSimilar-size 8.8 | 8.7#895 of 1,312 | — | 8.8 | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 208 cities of 25,000 to 50,000 we track (median). West Virginia is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. The walkability index is the EPA's, averaged over the city's neighborhoods by population.
| Month | Average high (°F) | Average low (°F) | Precipitation (inches) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 40.1 | 24 | 3.1 |
| Feb | 43.7 | 25.8 | 2.8 |
| Mar | 52.6 | 32.6 | 3.7 |
| Apr | 65.2 | 42.4 | 3.9 |
| May | 73.6 | 51.5 | 4.3 |
| Jun | 80.9 | 59.7 | 4.1 |
| Jul | 84.4 | 63.8 | 4.9 |
| Aug | 83.1 | 62.5 | 3.7 |
| Sep | 77.1 | 55.9 | 3.4 |
| Oct | 65.9 | 44.7 | 3.1 |
| Nov | 54.1 | 35.8 | 3 |
| Dec | 44.3 | 28.6 | 3.2 |
Top: average low to average high, °F. Bottom: precipitation, inches. NOAA 30-year climate normals at Morgantown Muni Airport.
| Measure | Morgantown | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureNOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 56.3°F | 53.8°F | 56.3°F | — |
| Summer average (Jun–Aug)NOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 76.3°F | 72.4°F | 76.3°F | — |
| Winter average (Dec–Feb)NOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 36.7°F | 34.4°F | 36.7°F | — |
| Precipitation a yearNOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 43.2 in | 43.2 in | 43.2 in | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 208 cities of 25,000 to 50,000 we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure. NOAA 30-year climate normals at Morgantown Muni Airport.
What are the air quality and natural hazard risks in Morgantown?
Monongalia County's air had a median air quality index of 42, and 80% of measured days were rated good; 1 day was unhealthy for sensitive groups or worse, mostly from ozone. Relative to other US counties, FEMA's National Risk Index puts Monongalia County's biggest natural hazard losses in inland flooding, hurricane, and hail, with expected yearly losses of 0.15% of building value, lower than 51% of US counties.
| Measure | Morgantown | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median air quality index (county)EPA Air Quality System · rank 1 = cleanestSimilar-size 41 | 42#457 of 1,138 | 41 | — |
| Unhealthy air days a year (county)EPA Air Quality System · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 1 | 1#309 of 1,138 | 1 | — |
| Yearly hazard losses, share of building value (county)FEMA National Risk Index · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 0.14% | 0.15%#664 of 1,312 | 0.14% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 208 cities of 25,000 to 50,000 we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure. County figures for Monongalia County: the EPA measures air at monitors and FEMA estimates hazard losses by county, not by city.
Natural hazard losses, Monongalia County
| Hazard | Yearly loss | Higher than |
|---|---|---|
| Inland flooding | 0.13% | 84% of counties |
| Hurricane | 0.0013% | 53% of counties |
| Hail | 0.0018% | 46% of counties |
| Tornado | 0.0024% | 25% of counties |
FEMA National Risk Index: expected yearly building losses from each hazard as a share of the county's building value, compared with every US county exposed to that hazard. Loss rates, unlike FEMA's risk ratings, do not rise just because a county has more property.
How does Morgantown compare with similar-size cities?
Morgantown is one of 208 cities of 25,000 to 50,000 we track and ranks #143 of them on overall score. The table sets it beside the 8 cities in other states closest to its population of 30,236.
| City | Rank | Score | Income | Rent | Violent crime | Commute |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morgantown, WVPop. 30,236 | #831 | 52.8 | $44,727 | $937/mo | 239 | 16.2 min |
| Hopkinsville, KYPop. 30,906 | #1174 | 45.9 | $49,139 | $902/mo | 300 | 21.3 min |
| Newark, DEPop. 30,330 | #671 | 55.6 | $76,912 | $1,654/mo | 299 | 19 min |
| Paragould, ARPop. 30,215 | #1008 | 49.9 | $56,980 | $925/mo | 268 | 20.4 min |
| Bixby, OKPop. 30,155 | #138 | 66.9 | $104,404 | $1,393/mo | 80 | 24.2 min |
| Hazleton, PAPop. 30,111 | #1049 | 49.0 | $46,177 | $1,089/mo | 164 | 21.3 min |
| Anderson, SCPop. 30,051 | #1148 | 46.7 | $46,933 | $975/mo | 581 | 22 min |
| Central, LAPop. 29,783 | #710 | 54.8 | $89,554 | $1,309/mo | part year | 29 min |
| Enterprise, ALPop. 29,505 | #904 | 51.7 | $73,125 | $1,098/mo | 753 | 20.1 min |
Rank is overall rank of 1,312. Income is median household income; rent is Census median rent; violent crime is per 100,000 residents as reported to the FBI ("no data" and "incomplete" are explained on each city's page).
How does Morgantown compare with the rest of West Virginia?
Morgantown ranks #4 of the 20 West Virginia cities we track, with a score of 52.8 against West Virginia's statewide 42.8. Its households earn 26% below the West Virginia median. Violent crime is 1% below the statewide rate. Homes are 59% above the typical West Virginia home.
| City | Rank in WV | Score | Income | Rent | Violent crime |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport, WVPop. 9,252 | #1 | 62.8 | $100,022 | $1,105/mo | 74 |
| Cheat Lake, WVPop. 10,902 | #2 | 62.2 | $117,014 | $1,124/mo | no data |
| Teays Valley, WVPop. 14,151 | #3 | 57.8 | $108,741 | $1,102/mo | no data |
| Morgantown, WVPop. 30,236 | #4 | 52.8 | $44,727 | $937/mo | 239 |
| Weirton, WVPop. 18,647 | #5 | 50.4 | $59,575 | $746/mo | 83 |
| Charleston, WVPop. 47,421 | #6 | 48.6 | $65,812 | $908/mo | 596 |
| Fairmont, WVPop. 18,221 | #7 | 48.4 | $63,032 | $916/mo | 395 |
| Parkersburg, WVPop. 29,240 | #8 | 47.8 | $49,025 | $785/mo | 269 |
| Vienna, WVPop. 10,518 | #9 | 47.8 | $60,388 | $809/mo | 174 |
| Martinsburg, WVPop. 18,904 | #10 | 47.6 | $59,555 | $1,150/mo | 221 |
| Wheeling, WVPop. 26,350 | #11 | 47.0 | $48,590 | $794/mo | 816 |
| St. Albans, WVPop. 10,522 | #12 | 47.0 | $53,972 | $931/mo | 118 |
| Moundsville, WVPop. 7,869 | #13 | 46.3 | $49,048 | $834/mo | 263 |
| Clarksburg, WVPop. 15,549 | #14 | 46.1 | $47,386 | $790/mo | 278 |
| Cross Lanes, WVPop. 9,671 | #15 | 45.1 | $63,537 | $949/mo | no data |
| Bluefield, WVPop. 9,387 | #16 | 44.7 | $49,375 | $804/mo | 365 |
| Oak Hill, WVPop. 7,937 | #17 | 44.7 | $52,466 | $847/mo | 92 |
| Huntington, WVPop. 45,787 | #18 | 44.2 | $45,100 | $912/mo | 670 |
| South Charleston, WVPop. 13,457 | #19 | 42.1 | $63,884 | $844/mo | 446 |
| Beckley, WVPop. 16,818 | #20 | 34.1 | $45,826 | $869/mo | 716 |
All 20 West Virginia cities we track, by overall score. West Virginia statewide: median income $60,798, violent crime 241.7 per 100,000.
How is Morgantown's score calculated?
Morgantown scores 52.8 out of 100, #831 of 1,312 (grade C+, which follows rank). It is scored on the 10 of 11 categories with local data; outdoor access is left out rather than filled with West Virginia's statewide figure, and the other weights are scaled up to fill the gap. Each score is compared with the median of similar-size cities, which are scored the same way.
- EconomyCity data · 16% of score
Median household income and unemployment in Morgantown. Similar-size median 52.9.
38.3 - SafetyCity data · 13% of score
Violent and property crime per 100,000 residents, as reported to the FBI by Morgantown's police agency. Similar-size median 78.4.
79.4 - HealthCity data · 13% of score
Adult obesity, diabetes and frequent mental distress in Morgantown. Similar-size median 52.2.
48.7 - EducationCity data · 13% of score
Graduation rate, students per teacher and spending per pupil in Morgantown's public schools. Similar-size median 59.4.
63.9 - AffordabilityCity data · 11% of score
Morgantown's home values and rents and its metro area's price level. Similar-size median 76.3.
79.3 - Household financesCity data · 9% of score
Median household income and poverty rate in Morgantown. Similar-size median 46.7.
4.2 - GrowthCity data · 7% of score
Population growth and unemployment in Morgantown. Similar-size median 44.2.
39.5 - TransportationCity data · 7% of score
Commute time, long commutes, driving alone, transit, walking, cycling and working from home in Morgantown. Similar-size median 47.3.
69.7 - WalkabilityCity data · 7% of score
The EPA's walkability index across Morgantown's neighborhoods. Similar-size median 41.1.
40.5 - EnvironmentCounty data · 4% of score
Air quality and natural hazard losses in the county. Similar-size median 54.8.
53.6 - Outdoor accessNot scored
No city-level park or public land measure exists, so outdoor access is not scored for cities.
—
Bar: Morgantown's category score out of 100. Tick: median of the 208 cities of 25,000 to 50,000 we track. Shares of score are the category weights rescaled over the categories Morgantown has data for. City scores use city formulas and are not on the same scale as state scores. Grades follow rank among the 1,312 cities. Methodology
Frequently asked questions about living in Morgantown
Is Morgantown, WV a good place to live?
Morgantown ranks #831 of the 1,312 US cities we track, #143 of 208 small cities and #4 of 20 in West Virginia. Against similar-size cities it stands out for short commutes (16.2 min, #26 of 208) and low rents ($937/mo, #47 of 208), and trails on high poverty (30.4%, #202 of 208) and low household income ($44,727, #199 of 208).
What is the cost of living in Morgantown?
Morgantown's cost of living index is 93.3, 7% below the US level of 100 and #389 of 1,308 cities with data (1 = cheapest). Median rent is $937/mo against $1,178/mo in similar-size cities. The typical home is worth $285,604, 59% above the typical West Virginia home ($179,496).
What is the crime rate in Morgantown?
Morgantown recorded 239 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, 27% below the US rate of 328 and 1% below West Virginia's 242. That ranks #435 of 1,085 cities with data (1 = safest) and #80 of 174 small cities, from a full year of reports to the FBI by Morgantown Police Department. Property crime runs 1,690 per 100,000 (US 1,548).
What is the median household income in Morgantown?
The median household in Morgantown earns $44,727, 46% below the US figure of $83,163 and 26% below West Virginia ($60,798). Unemployment is 4.2% (US 4.3%). 30.4% of residents live below the poverty line. The population fell 0.1% in the latest year (US +0.5%).
How much is rent in Morgantown?
Median rent in Morgantown is $937/mo (Census), #141 of 1,309 cities with data (1 = cheapest). The typical asking rent for a unit on the market now is $1,360/mo, against $1,948/mo nationally. Median rent takes 25.1% of the median household's income.
How much does a house cost in Morgantown?
The typical home value in Morgantown is $285,604, up 3.5% in a year, against $179,496 for West Virginia and $368,697 nationally. The Census median value of owner-occupied homes is $259,400.
How are the public schools in Morgantown?
Morgantown's 9 public schools graduate 92% of students in four years (West Virginia 91.2%), with 15.1 students per teacher and $14,414 spent per pupil.
How long is the commute in Morgantown?
The average commute is 16.2 minutes, #103 of 1,312 cities (1 = shortest), against 26.5 minutes across West Virginia. 2% of workers spend an hour or more getting to work.
What is the weather like in Morgantown?
Morgantown averages 53.8°F over the year, 72.4°F in summer and 34.4°F in winter, with 43.2 inches of precipitation. Figures are NOAA climate normals.
Is Morgantown walkable?
Morgantown scores 8.7 out of 20 on the EPA's National Walkability Index (below average walkable), #895 of 1,312 cities (1 = most walkable). The index weighs street intersection density, distance to transit and the mix of homes and jobs in each neighborhood.
What natural disasters is Morgantown at risk for?
Relative to other US counties, FEMA's National Risk Index puts Monongalia County's biggest natural hazard losses in inland flooding, hurricane, and hail, with expected yearly losses of 0.15% of building value, lower than 51% of US counties.
How is the air quality in Morgantown?
Monongalia County's air had a median air quality index of 42, and 80% of measured days were rated good; 1 day was unhealthy for sensitive groups or worse, mostly from ozone.
Who lives in Morgantown?
Morgantown has 30,236 residents. The median resident of Morgantown is 23.9 years old, against 37.3 in similar-size cities. 58.5% of adults have a bachelor's degree or more, #144 of 1,312 cities (1 = highest). 43.7% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners; the rest are rented.
How does Morgantown compare with the rest of West Virginia?
Morgantown ranks #4 of the 20 West Virginia cities we track, with a score of 52.8 against West Virginia's statewide 42.8. Its households earn 26% below the West Virginia median. Violent crime is 1% below the statewide rate. Homes are 59% above the typical West Virginia home.
What cities are similar in size to Morgantown?
The tracked cities in other states closest to Morgantown's population of 30,236 are Hopkinsville, KY (#1174 overall), Newark, DE (#671 overall), Paragould, AR (#1008 overall), Bixby, OK (#138 overall), and Hazleton, PA (#1049 overall). Morgantown is #831.