College Station vs Morgantown
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
College Station
Morgantown
The Verdict
Living in College Station costs 3.3% less than Morgantown. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in College Station, you would need $77,586 in Morgantown.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in College Station has the same purchasing power as $77,586 in Morgantown.
Conversely, $75,000 in Morgantown equals $72,500 in College Station.
Living in College Station vs Morgantown
Housing Costs
College Station's housing index of 82 is higher Morgantown's 81, translating to median home prices of $314,000 vs $259,000. The $55,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,576 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in College Station compared to $950/mo in Morgantown, a monthly difference of $125.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 93 in College Station and 95 in Morgantown. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $442/month in College Station 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 96 in College Station and 91 in Morgantown. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in College Station vs $364 in Morgantown. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 90 in College Station 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 $50,900 in College Station and $44,700 in Morgantown. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $58,506 and $49,667 respectively. College Station residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,188/month to housing in College Station vs $1,043/month in Morgantown. In College Station, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In Morgantown, median rent of $950/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Transportation, where the gap is 14 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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