Memphis vs Morgantown
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Memphis
Morgantown
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 6.7%, with Memphis being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Memphis has equivalent purchasing power to $80,357 in Morgantown.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Memphis has the same purchasing power as $80,357 in Morgantown.
Conversely, $75,000 in Morgantown equals $70,000 in Memphis.
Living in Memphis vs Morgantown
Housing Costs
Memphis's housing index of 63 is lower Morgantown's 81, translating to median home prices of $155,000 vs $259,000. The $104,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,756 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Memphis compared to $950/mo in Morgantown, a monthly difference of $50.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 93 in Memphis and 95 in Morgantown. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $442/month in Memphis 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 88 in Memphis and 91 in Morgantown. Monthly utility bills average approximately $352 in Memphis vs $364 in Morgantown. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 92 in Memphis 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 $41,228 in Memphis and $44,700 in Morgantown. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $49,081 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 $962/month to housing in Memphis vs $1,043/month in Morgantown. In Memphis, median rent of $1,000/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 Housing, where the gap is 18 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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