Albany vs Morgantown
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Albany
Morgantown
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 10.0%, with Morgantown being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Albany has equivalent purchasing power to $68,182 in Morgantown.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Albany has the same purchasing power as $68,182 in Morgantown.
Conversely, $75,000 in Morgantown equals $82,500 in Albany.
Living in Albany vs Morgantown
Housing Costs
Albany's housing index of 93 is higher Morgantown's 81, translating to median home prices of $220,000 vs $259,000. The $39,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,532 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Albany compared to $950/mo in Morgantown, a monthly difference of $250.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 102 in Albany and 95 in Morgantown. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $485/month in Albany vs $451/month in Morgantown. Morgantown offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $408/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 107 in Albany and 91 in Morgantown. Monthly utility bills average approximately $428 in Albany vs $364 in Morgantown. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 100 in Albany and 88 in Morgantown. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 12-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $43,098 in Albany and $44,700 in Morgantown. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $43,533 and $49,667 respectively. Morgantown residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,006/month to housing in Albany vs $1,043/month in Morgantown. In Albany, median rent of $1,200/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Morgantown, median rent of $950/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 16 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases