For Nonso Omezie, an international student at West Virginia University living in Morgantown, rent isn’t just another bill; it’s the one expense that shapes every other aspect of his life.
“Rent takes the biggest part of my monthly bills,” he said. “I have had to minimize everything else I spend money on.”
Omezie chose his apartment based on its proximity to campus, he says, which made it easier for him to get to class. Affordability and safety were constant concerns. But as each month ends, he says he feels the pressure building.
“I start thinking about rent, and it can be stressful,” he said. “It doesn’t affect my academics, but it’s always on my mind.”
Nonso Omezie is an international student paying rent in Morgantown. Photo Credit: Purity Siror/WVU News
As rents keep rising in Morgantown, students like Omezie are feeling the pressure. Data from the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the West Virginia Housing Needs Assessment show that more people in the county are now considered “cost‑burdened,” meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on housing.
Recent rental data also shows that both Morgantown and Mon County have median rents slightly above the state median of $1,165 per month, indicating that competition for housing near WVU could be driving prices even higher.
New data from Realtor.com also shows that both Morgantown and Mon County have median rents slightly above the statewide average.
According to Prof. Daniel Eades, an extension specialist and associate professor in rural development at WVU, students make up the largest group of renters in the city, and more than 75% of WVU undergraduates live off campus. That steady demand shapes the market, keeping rents high and making it harder for long‑term residents, low‑income workers, families, and seniors to find affordable options.
A strategic plan by the West Virginia Housing Development Authority, known as the 2025–2029 Consolidated Plan, echoes these concerns, noting that West Virginia continues to face ongoing rental affordability pressures, especially in fast‑growing counties like Monongalia.
Expert: Reason for high housing costs in Morgantown
Eades said the biggest shift in the housing market began during the COVID‑19 pandemic, when home prices surged and inventory fell to a multi‑decade low.
“Affordability is still the biggest challenge,” Eades said. “We aren’t seeing enough new homes in price ranges that match the incomes of working households.”
Even though rents in Mon County remain among the highest in West Virginia, Eades notes that the rate of increase has been slower than in many other parts of the country. He added that because construction costs are up and mortgage rates are high, many people prefer renting to buying.
Daniel Eades, WVU Extension Specialist and Rural Economics. Credit: WVU Extension
Another major factor is students. According to Eades, more than 75% of WVU undergraduates live off campus, creating a demand for rentals near the institution.
“Landlords will price units based on what the student market can bear,” Eades explained. “Students often look low‑income on paper, but many have family support or loans that allow them to pay higher amounts.”
That dynamic keeps prices elevated even when vacancy rates aren’t extremely tight.
Rent Pressures Resident
Niccoh Hamby, a Morgantown resident and WVU Medicine administrator, says that rising rents have also made getting long-term financing, such as a home mortgage, more difficult.
“Rent prices have made it difficult to save money for bigger goals like purchasing a house,” he said. “That is also difficult because of high prices and interest rates in the housing market.”
Hamby added that Morgantown’s student-heavy rental market also affects options for permanent residents, with some apartment promotions aimed at students sometimes appearing more affordable than traditional rentals.
“Because Morgantown is a college town, a lot of the housing market is student apartments,” he said. “Sometimes those deals are cheaper than trying to find a one- or two-bedroom apartment.”
Rising housing costs continue to place pressure on both students and residents in Mon County, as limited supply and strong demand keep the market competitive, according to Daniel Eades.