City Comparison

Hampton vs Morgantown

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Hampton

Virginia
88
Below Average
$243,000
Median Home
$1,175/mo
Median Rent
$59,400
Median Income

Morgantown

West Virginia
90
Below Average
$259,000
Median Home
$950/mo
Median Rent
$44,700
Median Income

The Verdict

2.2%

Hampton is 2.2% less expensive than Morgantown overall. A household earning $75,000 in Hampton would need approximately $76,705 in Morgantown to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
102
Hampton
81
Morgantown
Groceries
94
Hampton
95
Morgantown
Utilities
102
Hampton
91
Morgantown
Transportation
93
Hampton
99
Morgantown
Healthcare
106
Hampton
88
Morgantown

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Hampton has the same purchasing power as $76,705 in Morgantown.

Conversely, $75,000 in Morgantown equals $73,333 in Hampton.

Living in Hampton vs Morgantown

Housing Costs

Hampton's housing index of 102 is higher Morgantown's 81, translating to median home prices of $243,000 vs $259,000. The $16,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,044 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,175/mo in Hampton compared to $950/mo in Morgantown, a monthly difference of $225.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 94 in Hampton and 95 in Morgantown. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Hampton 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 102 in Hampton and 91 in Morgantown. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Hampton 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 106 in Hampton and 88 in Morgantown. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 18-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $59,400 in Hampton and $44,700 in Morgantown. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $67,500 and $49,667 respectively. Hampton residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,386/month to housing in Hampton vs $1,043/month in Morgantown. In Hampton, median rent of $1,175/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 21 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Hampton is 2.2% more affordable overall with an index of 88 vs 90.
A $75,000 salary in Hampton has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $76,705 in Morgantown, based on the cost of living difference.
Hampton's housing index is 102 with median homes at $243,000, while Morgantown's is 81 with median homes at $259,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases