Fairmont, WV vs Morgantown, WV

Fairmont is moderately more affordable than Morgantown, with a 7.7% lower cost of living index. Fairmont scores 73 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 Fairmont is $902/month compared to $888/month in Morgantown — a 2% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Morgantown has cheaper rent, Fairmont actually has lower median home values ($159,100 vs $238,200).

Median household income in Fairmont is $60,791 compared to $42,245 in Morgantown (+43.9%). Fairmont offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Fairmont spend roughly 17.8% of their income on rent, less than the 25.2% in Morgantown.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (54.9°F vs 53.8°F). Fairmont receives more rainfall at 44.8" per year compared to 43.2" in Morgantown.