Abilene vs Morgantown
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Abilene
Morgantown
The Verdict
Living in Abilene costs 11.1% less than Morgantown. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Abilene, you would need $84,375 in Morgantown.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Abilene has the same purchasing power as $84,375 in Morgantown.
Conversely, $75,000 in Morgantown equals $66,667 in Abilene.
Living in Abilene vs Morgantown
Housing Costs
Abilene's housing index of 58 is lower Morgantown's 81, translating to median home prices of $179,000 vs $259,000. The $80,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,196 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Abilene compared to $950/mo in Morgantown, a monthly difference of $0.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 91 in Abilene and 95 in Morgantown. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $432/month in Abilene vs $451/month in Morgantown. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Abilene and 91 in Morgantown. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Abilene vs $364 in Morgantown. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 96 in Abilene and 88 in Morgantown. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $62,600 in Abilene and $44,700 in Morgantown. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $78,250 and $49,667 respectively. Abilene residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,461/month to housing in Abilene vs $1,043/month in Morgantown. In Abilene, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Morgantown, median rent of $950/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 23 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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