Ashton Marra Published

Report: Morgantown Cost of Living 3.7 Percent Above National Average

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A study conducted by West Virginia University’s Bureau of Business and Economic Research and the Council for Community and Economic Research says on average, the cost of living in and around Morgantown is 3.7 percent higher than the national average. That’s up a half a percentage point from the previous year. 

Two major spending areas — housing and health care costs – didn’t contribute to the increase, but miscellaneous goods and services- things like restaurant meals, clothing, and entertainment- account for most of the hike.  

In a press release Monday, BBER director John Deskins says housing costs actually dropped in the Morgantown area by more than 7 percent over the past year. During that same time period, health care costs declined by nearly 3 percent.

The report says Morgantown also has below-averages costs for groceries, transportation and utilities.