Charleston, WV vs Morgantown, WV

Charleston is moderately more affordable than Morgantown, with a 6.3% lower cost of living index. Charleston scores 74 compared to 79 for Morgantown, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Morgantown can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Charleston is $898/month compared to $888/month in Morgantown — a 1% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Morgantown has cheaper rent, Charleston actually has lower median home values ($187,300 vs $238,200).

Median household income in Charleston is $64,512 compared to $42,245 in Morgantown (+52.7%). Charleston offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Charleston spend roughly 16.7% of their income on rent, less than the 25.2% in Morgantown.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (56.2°F vs 53.8°F). Charleston receives more rainfall at 46.2" per year compared to 43.2" in Morgantown.