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

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