True Cost of Renting in Morgantown

Morgantown is home to West Virginia University (WVU, 27,000+ students) and has a character distinct from the rest of the state — a college town with craft breweries, walkable neighborhoods, and a younger demographic. The WVU Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) is America's only operational automated people mover connecting the downtown and university campuses. Rents are low by national college-town standards.

Neighborhoods & Average Rents

Sunnyside / Downtown

Studio:
$750/mo
1 Bed:
$1,000/mo
2 Bed:
$1,450/mo

Student-dominated neighborhood adjacent to WVU campus on High Street; bars, restaurants, and proximity to the Evansdale campus via PRT. High August turnover. Appalachian Power electric. Older apartment stock with variable insulation.

Sabraton / East Morgantown

1 Bed:
$950/mo
2 Bed:
$1,350/mo

Suburban neighborhoods east of Downtown near the Mon County Airport; mix of older homes and newer apartment complexes. Car-dependent. Good access to I-68 east toward Maryland and the I-79 south toward Clarksburg.

Utility Providers

Electric
Appalachian Power (AEP)
Water
Morgantown Utility Board
Internet
Comcast Xfinity, Frontier Fiber, T-Mobile Home Internet

Commute & Transportation

I-79 connects Morgantown to Charleston (south) and Pittsburgh, PA (north, 75 miles). I-68 provides east-west access to Maryland. The PRT automated transit system connects Downtown, WVU evansdale campus, and the hospital complex. WVU and WVU Medicine (Ruby Memorial Hospital) are the dominant employers. Mylan Pharmaceuticals (Viatris) has its global headquarters in Morgantown, providing pharmaceutical industry employment.

Rental Market Overview

Morgantown's rental market is driven by WVU enrollment. Rents are low by national college-town standards. Appalachian Power rates are competitive. The Sunnyside neighborhood near campus is extremely student-oriented with high turnover; families and professionals prefer Sabraton or Star City. WVU Medicine's growth as a regional hospital has created healthcare worker demand that diversifies beyond the student market. Renters insurance averages $10–13/month.

Data last updated: 2026-04

Compare Apartments in Morgantown

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Renting in Morgantown: Common Questions

What is the average rent in Morgantown?
One-bedroom apartments in Morgantown range from $950/month in Sabraton / East Morgantown to $1,000/month in Sunnyside / Downtown. Two-bedroom units range from $1,350 to $1,450/month. These are base rents — add fees, utilities, and amenity costs to get the true all-in monthly cost.
What utilities do I need to set up in Morgantown?
In Morgantown, electricity is provided by Appalachian Power (AEP), water by Morgantown Utility Board, and common internet providers include Comcast Xfinity, Frontier Fiber, T-Mobile Home Internet. Check whether your lease includes water or trash — some buildings bundle these into rent while others charge separately. Always ask the leasing office for the average monthly utility bill before signing.
What neighborhoods are affordable in Morgantown?
Sabraton / East Morgantown is one of the most affordable neighborhoods in Morgantown, with one-bedroom apartments averaging $950/month. Suburban neighborhoods east of Downtown near the Mon County Airport; mix of older homes and newer apartment complexes. Car-dependent. Good access to I-68 east toward Maryland and the I-79 south toward Clarksburg. Remember to factor in commute costs and parking fees when comparing neighborhoods — a cheaper base rent farther from work may cost more overall.
Is Morgantown expensive to rent in?
Morgantown's rental market is driven by WVU enrollment. Rents are low by national college-town standards. Use RentCompare to calculate the true all-in cost for any apartment in Morgantown — base rent alone does not tell the full story.

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