Montpelier vs Morgantown
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Montpelier
Morgantown
The Verdict
Morgantown is 30.0% less expensive than Montpelier overall. A household earning $75,000 in Montpelier would need approximately $57,692 in Morgantown to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Montpelier has the same purchasing power as $57,692 in Morgantown.
Conversely, $75,000 in Morgantown equals $97,500 in Montpelier.
Living in Montpelier vs Morgantown
Housing Costs
Montpelier's housing index of 131 is higher Morgantown's 81, translating to median home prices of $375,000 vs $259,000. The $116,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,536 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Montpelier compared to $950/mo in Morgantown, a monthly difference of $450.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 104 in Montpelier and 95 in Morgantown. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in Montpelier vs $451/month in Morgantown. Morgantown offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 123 in Montpelier and 91 in Morgantown. Monthly utility bills average approximately $492 in Montpelier 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 107 in Montpelier and 88 in Morgantown. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 19-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $82,600 in Montpelier and $44,700 in Morgantown. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $70,598 and $49,667 respectively. Montpelier residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,927/month to housing in Montpelier vs $1,043/month in Morgantown. In Montpelier, median rent of $1,400/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 50 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases