Morgantown vs Olympia
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Morgantown
Olympia
The Verdict
Living in Morgantown costs 19.6% less than Olympia. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Morgantown, you would need $93,333 in Olympia.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Morgantown has the same purchasing power as $93,333 in Olympia.
Conversely, $75,000 in Olympia equals $60,268 in Morgantown.
Living in Morgantown vs Olympia
Housing Costs
Morgantown's housing index of 81 is lower Olympia's 131, translating to median home prices of $259,000 vs $495,000. The $236,000 difference in home prices means roughly $15,336 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Morgantown compared to $1,600/mo in Olympia, a monthly difference of $650.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 95 in Morgantown and 105 in Olympia. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in Morgantown vs $499/month in Olympia. Morgantown offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $576/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 91 in Morgantown and 91 in Olympia. Monthly utility bills average approximately $364 in Morgantown vs $364 in Olympia. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 88 in Morgantown and 124 in Olympia. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 36-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $44,700 in Morgantown and $81,300 in Olympia. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $49,667 and $72,589 respectively. Olympia residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,043/month to housing in Morgantown vs $1,897/month in Olympia. In Morgantown, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Olympia, median rent of $1,600/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
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