The minimum wage in Morgantown is $8.75/hour in 2026. See how it compares to the MIT living wage of $18.50/hour and local cost of living.
Last updated: May 2026 · Data: MIT Living Wage Calculator, C2ER, U.S. Census, BLS, IRS, state and city sources
Calculate annual, monthly, and weekly income at any hourly wage in Morgantown.
The minimum wage in Morgantown is the West Virginia statewide minimum of $8.75/hour. Morgantown does not set a separate city minimum wage, so the West Virginia statewide minimum of $8.75/hour applies, which is above the federal floor. The bigger question for most workers is how that compares to what it actually costs to live in Morgantown. With average 1-bedroom rent near $1,100/month and a cost-of-living index of 84 (US average = 100), the gap between the minimum wage and a true living wage is significant.
| Benchmark (Morgantown, 2026) | Hourly | Annual (full-time) |
|---|---|---|
| Applicable minimum wage | $8.75 | $18,200 |
| MIT living wage (single adult) | $18.50 | $38,480 |
| MIT living wage (family of four, one earner) | $38.00 | $79,040 |
| Federal minimum wage | $7.25 | $15,080 |
| Average rent (1-bedroom, annual) | - | $13,200 |
Living wage figures: MIT Living Wage Calculator for Monongalia County. Minimum wage reflects the rate applicable to most private employers in Morgantown.
Morgantown is home to West Virginia University and is one of the most economically vibrant parts of the state, with an economy built on higher education, healthcare and the WVU Medicine system, research, and a youthful college-town atmosphere.
| Local Metric | Morgantown (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|
| Metro population | 30,000 |
| County / jurisdiction | Monongalia County |
| Cost of living index (US avg = 100) | 84 |
| MIT living wage, single adult | $18.50/hour |
| MIT living wage, one earner supporting a family of four | $38.00/hour |
| Applicable minimum wage | $8.75/hour |
| Average rent, 1-bedroom | $1,100/month |
| Average rent, 2-bedroom | $1,350/month |
| Median home price | $280,000 |
| Median household income | $48,000/year |
| Combined sales tax rate | 6% |
| Effective property tax rate | 0.6% of value/year |
Local figures are 2026 estimates compiled from the MIT Living Wage Calculator, the C2ER Cost of Living Index, U.S. Census and Zillow housing data, and city and county sources. Verify current figures before relying on them.
The minimum wage in Morgantown is the West Virginia statewide minimum of $8.75/hour. Morgantown does not set a separate city minimum wage, so the West Virginia statewide minimum of $8.75/hour applies, which is above the federal floor. A full-time worker (40 hours/week, 52 weeks) earns about $18,200 per year gross before taxes at that rate.
Not for a single adult. The MIT Living Wage Calculator estimates a single adult in Monongalia County needs about $18.50/hour (roughly $38,480/year) to cover basic costs. That is $9.75/hour above the applicable minimum wage, and a one-earner family of four needs closer to $38.00/hour.
At $8.75/hour, full-time work (2,080 hours/year) produces about $18,200 gross. Part-time at 30 hours/week is roughly $13,650/year. Average 1-bedroom rent in Morgantown is about $1,100/month, or $13,200/year.
Morgantown does not set a separate city minimum wage, so the West Virginia statewide minimum of $8.75/hour applies, which is above the federal floor.
The federal minimum wage is $7.25/hour and has not changed since 2009. West Virginia has set a state minimum wage of $8.75/hour, above the federal floor, and that rate applies in Morgantown.