Morgantown vs Tampa
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026 Data
Morgantown
Tampa
💡 The Verdict
Morgantown is 22% cheaper than Tampa overall. A $75,000 salary in Morgantown is equivalent to $95,625 in Tampa.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values for Morgantown (left) vs Tampa (right). National average = 100.
Detailed Price Comparison
Estimated item-level prices in Morgantown versus Tampa. Differences shown from Morgantown perspective.
| Item | Morgantown | Tampa | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Bed Rent | $960/mo | $1,210/mo | $-250.00 |
| 2-Bed Rent | $1,380/mo | $1,700/mo | $-320.00 |
| 3-Bed Rent | $1,780/mo | $2,230/mo | $-450.00 |
| Bread (loaf) | $2.55 | $2.84 | $-0.29 |
| Milk (gallon) | $2.86 | $4.00 | $-1.14 |
| Eggs (dozen) | $2.48 | $3.89 | $-1.41 |
| Coffee (latte) | $4.79 | $6.15 | $-1.36 |
| Gas (gallon) | $2.92 | $3.34 | $-0.42 |
| Restaurant Meal | $16.44 | $18.85 | $-2.41 |
💰 Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Morgantown has the same purchasing power as $95,625 in Tampa.
Conversely, $75,000 in Tampa equals $58,824 in Morgantown.
💼 Take-Home Pay Comparison
Estimated annual take-home pay on a $75,000 salary after federal, FICA, and state income taxes.
The $3901 difference is driven by West Virginia having a higher state income tax rate. West Virginia details → · Florida details →
Reading These Numbers: Morgantown (80) vs Tampa (102)
Morgantown at 80 is 20% below the US average, while Tampa at 102 is 2% above average. There is a meaningful cost gap between these two cities that affects day-to-day budgeting.
In Morgantown, the composite index of 80 reflects a weighted calculation where housing carries the most influence at 97, followed by groceries (82), utilities (80), transportation (80), and healthcare (81). Housing is the primary cost driver here.
For renters: With median rents of $1,380/mo in Morgantown and $1,700/mo in Tampa, the annual rent difference is approximately $3,840.0. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $19,200.0 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $40,000.0 difference in median home prices between Morgantown and Tampa translates to meaningful differences in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.
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Making Your Decision: Morgantown vs Tampa
Choosing between Morgantown and Tampa involves more than just comparing index numbers. Consider how each category aligns with your personal spending patterns. If you work from home, transportation costs matter less than housing and utilities. If you eat out frequently, the groceries index may understate your actual food spending — look at the restaurant meal prices in the detailed comparison table above instead.
When weighing Morgantown against Tampa, think beyond the composite index. Your personal savings rate, retirement timeline, and family size all influence which cost categories dominate your budget. Someone spending sixty percent of income on housing and childcare will experience these two cities very differently than a single renter whose largest variable expense is dining out. Model your own spending breakdown against the category indices above for the most realistic comparison.