City Comparison

Morgantown vs Spokane

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Morgantown

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

Spokane

Washington
98
Average
$310,000
Median Home
$1,200/mo
Median Rent
$48,834
Median Income

The Verdict

8.2%

Living in Morgantown costs 8.2% less than Spokane. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Morgantown, you would need $81,667 in Spokane.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
81
Morgantown
94
Spokane
Groceries
95
Morgantown
99
Spokane
Utilities
91
Morgantown
98
Spokane
Transportation
99
Morgantown
101
Spokane
Healthcare
88
Morgantown
102
Spokane

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Morgantown has the same purchasing power as $81,667 in Spokane.

Conversely, $75,000 in Spokane equals $68,878 in Morgantown.

Living in Morgantown vs Spokane

Housing Costs

Morgantown's housing index of 81 is lower Spokane's 94, translating to median home prices of $259,000 vs $310,000. The $51,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,312 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Morgantown compared to $1,200/mo in Spokane, a monthly difference of $250.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 95 in Morgantown and 99 in Spokane. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in Morgantown vs $470/month in Spokane. 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 91 in Morgantown and 98 in Spokane. Monthly utility bills average approximately $364 in Morgantown vs $392 in Spokane. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 88 in Morgantown and 102 in Spokane. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 14-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 $48,834 in Spokane. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $49,667 and $49,831 respectively. Spokane 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 $1,139/month in Spokane. In Morgantown, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Spokane, median rent of $1,200/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 14 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Morgantown is 8.2% more affordable overall with an index of 90 vs 98.
A $75,000 salary in Morgantown has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $81,667 in Spokane, based on the cost of living difference.
Morgantown's housing index is 81 with median homes at $259,000, while Spokane's is 94 with median homes at $310,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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