Morgantown vs Tulsa
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026 Data
Morgantown
Tulsa
💡 The Verdict
Morgantown is 6% cheaper than Tulsa overall. A $75,000 salary in Morgantown is equivalent to $79,688 in Tulsa.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values for Morgantown (left) vs Tulsa (right). National average = 100.
Detailed Price Comparison
Estimated item-level prices in Morgantown versus Tulsa. Differences shown from Morgantown perspective.
| Item | Morgantown | Tulsa | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Bed Rent | $960/mo | $710/mo | +$250.00 |
| 2-Bed Rent | $1,380/mo | $950/mo | +$430.00 |
| 3-Bed Rent | $1,780/mo | $1,260/mo | +$520.00 |
| Bread (loaf) | $2.55 | $2.80 | $-0.25 |
| Milk (gallon) | $2.86 | $3.47 | $-0.61 |
| Eggs (dozen) | $2.48 | $3.03 | $-0.55 |
| Coffee (latte) | $4.79 | $5.24 | $-0.45 |
| Gas (gallon) | $2.92 | $3.35 | $-0.43 |
| Restaurant Meal | $16.44 | $13.48 | +$2.96 |
💰 Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Morgantown has the same purchasing power as $79,688 in Tulsa.
Conversely, $75,000 in Tulsa equals $70,588 in Morgantown.
💼 Take-Home Pay Comparison
Estimated annual take-home pay on a $75,000 salary after federal, FICA, and state income taxes.
The $750 difference is driven by West Virginia having a higher state income tax rate. West Virginia details → · Oklahoma details →
Reading These Numbers: Morgantown (80) vs Tulsa (85)
Morgantown at 80 is 20% below the US average, while Tulsa at 85 is 15% below average. The cost difference between these cities is relatively modest.
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 $950/mo in Tulsa, the annual rent difference is approximately $5,160.0. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $25,800.0 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $125,000.0 difference in median home prices between Morgantown and Tulsa 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 Tulsa
Choosing between Morgantown and Tulsa 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.
Long-term affordability in Morgantown versus Tulsa depends partly on cost trajectory. Cities experiencing rapid population growth tend to see costs rise faster than established metros where supply has caught up with demand. While our index captures current conditions, consider whether the city trending cheaper today might converge toward average over the next five to ten years as more people discover it. Our quarterly updates help track these shifts over time.