Your Morgantown, WV, Real Estate Questions Answered

If the mountain lifestyle is calling, but you don’t want to be too far from modern living, check out Morgantown, West Virginia. This small town has earned accolades like being called “the most exciting place in West Virginia” and ranks as one of Livability’s top ten places to raise a family. It’s been featured as a getaway town, affordable town, top southern small town, and much more.

Discover why living in Morgantown, West Virginia, is so appealing. We’re here to give you an overview of why this is one of the best places to live in West Virginia. Learn about the town’s cost of living, some things to do, and a few top neighborhoods.

Where is Morgantown, WV?

Morgantown is in northern West Virginia, just a few miles from the Pennsylvania border. It’s easy to get to because two interstates intersect through town, I-79 and I-68. These make it easy to travel to West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania destinations.

The town grew up around the Monongahela River and is close to miles-long Cheat Lake. Morgantown serves as the county seat for Monongalia County.

What should I know about Morgantown, WV?

The foremost thing to know about Morgantown is it is a college town thanks to West Virginia University. The Mountaineers are why Morgantown has been called a top football town. In fact, the passionate fans have a reputation for being enthusiastic– if not intimidating–during the home games.

WVU is central to life in Morgantown; however, the city does have perks not related to the college. It’s one of the few areas in West Virginia growing economically and in population.

Historically, Morgantown has been a state leader in commerce and innovation. It continues investing heavily in manufacturing, research, and commercial centers, leading to one of the state’s lowest unemployment rates. In fact, the US Department of Energy is one of the largest employers in the area. But small businesses are equally supported through a Small Business Development Center, a WV Women’s Business Center, and Main Street programs.

Historic downtown Morgantown is the epicenter of community life. With over 100 retailers, 35 restaurants and taverns, a metropolitan theater, and a historical setting, it’s a charming area to spend the day or to call home.

In another sign of the community’s willingness to take risks and embrace new ideas, Morgantown has a strong sustainability initiative. It encourages businesses to adopt sustainable practices, has installed solar panels on its Market Place Pavilion, and added electric car charging stations.

Finally, families will be pleased to know that Morgantown’s public education system is among the state’s best school districts.

What is the cost of living in Morgantown, WV?

West Virginia has a reputation as being one of the most affordable places for living. Morgantown won’t disappoint, although it is one of the more expensive areas in the state. By more expensive, we mean you’ll pay 10% more than the West Virginia average but 10% less than the national average.

The big costs here are in healthcare, groceries, and miscellaneous expenses like child care or eating out. But you’ll find significant savings in housing, transportation, and utilities. Housing will run you 37% more than the West Virginia average but 23% less than the national average. And, with much of Morgantown’s core being highly walkable, you can save on your transportation costs.

Is Morgantown, WV growing?

Morgantown is now West Virginia’s third-largest city by population, showing its growing appeal among professionals, academics, and retirees. But even though it ranks third, it still only has around 30,000 residents. It’s been growing by about 0.2% each year. Of course, being a college town, it will feel more packed in the semester.

Zooming out on the metro and Monongalia County, the population is 106,869. It grew by 1% from 2020 to 2022. This region is one of the few in the state expected to add rather than lose population.

What is the average price of a home in Morgantown, WV?

Based on data from April 2023, Morgantown had a median list price of $315,000, with 535 homes on the market. This was up 9.6% year-over-year. Homes had a median price per sq ft of $162.

The most affordable listing was $5,000 for a vacant lot just under one acre in size. The most expensive single-family home was $3.19 million for a three-bedroom, 4.5-bathroom home with two acres on Cheat Lake.

What is the property tax rate for Morgantown, WV?

West Virginia has a reputation for having some of the lowest property taxes in the nation. Residential real estate is considered a “Class II” property under the state’s taxation system. In 2022, the breakdown in tax rates for Morgantown residents was as follows:

• State: 0.005
• Monongalia County: 0.22
• County Excess Levy: 0.0468
• Schools: 0.753
• Morgantown: 0.25

The total was 1.2748 mills, where one mill equals $1 for every $100. Homes are assessed at 60% of their assessed value. So, if you owned a home valued at $315,000, you’d pay taxes on $189,000 of the value, which comes to $2,409.37.

What neighborhoods are in Morgantown, WV?

Greenmont is perfect for living in a walkable neighborhood near the downtown amenities. It started as a streetcar suburb and features some historic homes on compact lots. Residents have an ample selection of local dining venues and craft breweries. Gene’s Beer Garden is an iconic representation of a neighborhood hangout. The ten homes for sale had a median price of $142,000 in April 2023.

If proximity to the WVU campus is what you prize, then Woodburn is the neighborhood to check out. It’s just east of the downtown campus and has great walkability to the downtown amenities. The MT Pockets Theater in a re-adapted elementary school is a cool place to check out. April 2023 had five homes for sale at a median of $200,000.

South Park is another near-downtown community with great walkability and charming historic character. Over 500 homes contribute to its historic district designation. Its charm is increased with the tree-lined streets and the beautifully landscaped front plots. Some uphill homes have beautiful views of downtown and other hills to the west. A South Park Association of Neighbors coordinates events like the neighborhood-wide yard sale and the Halloween trick-or-treating. And it’s well-known for the massive Morgantown High marching band parading down the streets before football games. The community had three homes for sale at a median of $309,000 in April 2023.

First Ward has a reputation as both a quiet and more affordable part of town. However, it’s still very walkable to the downtown WVU campus. The Jack Roberts Park and playground in the central part of the neighborhood are part of the collection of green spaces in the community. The largest is White Park, with its five miles of wooded trails. The homes were built in the same period and have the same general look. There were ten homes for sale in April 2023 at a median price of $207,500.

For those more interested in accessing the WVU Evansdale campus, why not live in Evansdale? The homes here trend more towards the midcentury and ranch style because that’s about when they were built. It has views of the Monongahela River from some of the homes. It includes the home for the president of West Virginia University.

More expansive lots are found the further away from downtown you get, like in Suncrest. While some homes date to the 1920s, most were built during the 1950s and 60s. The residents appreciate Krepps Park, which includes a dog park and two public swimming pools. Nearby are some of the city’s largest employers, like the hospital complexes, Mylan Pharmaceuticals, and the National Energy Technology Laboratory. Suncrest had 41 homes for sale at a median price of $239,800 in April 2023.

Star City isn’t a neighborhood but an independent town adjacent to Morgantown. The riverfront is leading the redevelopment of the town. The playground, park trailhead, and public boat ramp encourage people to gather in the area. More dining, shopping, business, and service providers are simultaneously jumping on the area’s affordability and adding to the neighborhood appeal. The town had four homes for sale at a median of $239,900.

To the northeast, Cheat Lake is Morgantown’s playground and is also known as an affluent community. The home options range from townhomes to estate homes, but all are attracted to the beauty of lakeside living. The Lakeview Golf Resort & Spa adds to the local amenities, as do the lakeside dining options and the summer concert series at Chestnut Ridge Park. There were 145 homes for sale at a median list price of $514,000.

How is golf in Morgantown, WV?

Players have about three choices locally in Monongalia County. Most of these courses are to the northeast of Morgantown.

The Pines Country Club is the closest to town. Set along rolling hills, the private golf course amenities include a Pro Shop, practice facilities, a driving range, and country club amenities like a swimming pool and dining.

Bryan Ault designed the Mountain View course at Lakeview Golf Resort. The 6,447 yards wind through forested Allegheny Mountain foothills. James Harrison designed the 1950s-established Lakeview Course along Cheat Lake. It’s been rated one of the top 100 public courses.

Other area courses for play include Mountaineer Golf Course, Pikewood National Golf Club, and Paradise Lake Golf Course.

Are there golf course communities in Morgantown, WV?

Greystone on the Cheat winds around the Mountain View Golf Course. The estate homes sit on spacious lots; some are lakefront with features like private docks.

What areas are near Morgantown, WV?

Morgantown is immediately surrounded on both sides of the river by small towns and unincorporated communities. These include Westover, Star City, Brookhaven, Dellslow, Imperial Woods, and Brandywine Estates.

The West Virginia Botanic Garden at Tibbs Run Nature Preserve is a top attraction. Four miles of trails wind through forest, manicured gardens, streams, and wetlands. It’s the state’s only botanic garden, and visiting is free.

Cheat Lake is a 1,730-acre reservoir formed from damming the Cheat River. It’s a popular destination for all kinds of boaters, from the power boaters pulling skiers and tubers to the fishermen seeking quiet alcoves to cast a line for bass or pike. Two parks have a beachfront.

Across the river awaits Coopers Rock State Forest, where the canyons and sandstone cliffs impress. Explore the terrain on 50 miles of hiking and biking trails, visit for cross-country skiing, or go bouldering. Camping and hunting are available.

Head further afield to Pittsburgh, 77 miles to the north of I-79. You can also visit Charleston, WV, at 155 miles away, heading south on I-79, or Cleveland, OH, at 208 miles. Washington, DC, is 218 miles east.

Living in Morgantown, WV

Hopefully, you learned something new about Morgantown, WV, and if it could be the perfect mountain town for your next home. The city has even more great neighborhoods to check out than mentioned here, so you can find the right lifestyle for your needs. If you’re looking at living in Morgantown, contact a local real estate agent.