| Index | Rolla | Missouri | National |
| Cost of living | 91 | 90 | 100 |
| Groceries | 98 | 96 | 100 |
| Health care | 99 | 97 | 100 |
| Housing | 80 | 77 | 100 |
| Transportation | 95 | 96 | 100 |
| Utilities | 95 | 95 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 92 | 95 | 100 |
| Household Items | 99 | 97 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 92 | 95 | 100 |
Understanding the cost of living in Rolla can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The Rolla cost of living index is 91, which is 9% lower than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.
The cost of living in Rolla closely mirrors the national average in comparison to other cities nationwide. Essential items such as groceries, houshold expenses, health care and utilities are priced at a level consistent with similar urban areas. This means that residents of Rolla can anticipate that their daily expenses will remain reasonably in line with those of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.
When it comes to knowing a city, its residents are the experts. We conducted a survey with 9 locals to understand their opinions on the cost of living in Rolla. The results indicated that 44% found it reasonably priced with decreasing prices of goods and services, while 56% viewed it as quite expensive, with increasing prices.
Is Rolla an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Rolla, the median home price is 19.2% lower than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 22.9% lower than the usual rates. Income levels in Rolla come in at $55,653, which is 31.6% lower than the national average.
Taxes: Locations with elevated tax rates, encompassing both sales and income taxes, can be a factor in driving up the cost of living. When you're paying more in taxes for everyday household expenses, it naturally translates into higher expenses. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can also contribute to an overall higher cost of living. In Rolla, the standard sales tax rate starts at 4.225%, and the income tax rates commence at 2%.
Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can undergo substantial fluctuations based on the city or state of residence. Elements such as the availability of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket costs for medical consultations, dental expenses, prescription medication charges and specialized medical care fees all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Rolla, healthcare costs are 1.3% lower than the national average.
Urbanization: Larger, urban areas boasting abundant amenities and robust employment prospects often exhibit a heightened cost of living, driven by the increased demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural locales or regions marked by diminished demand typically offer a more limited range of amenities and experience slower job market expansion. This translates into a more affordable cost of living.
The Rolla cost of living data displayed above uses a U.S. average baseline of 100 to provide a practical way to compare living expenses across cities. Housing estimates incorporate U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are generated using AI-assisted models based on everyday expense expectations, regional pricing trends, climate, transportation patterns, and local economic conditions. These values are designed for directional city-to-city comparisons.
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| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $87,606 | $7,301 | $2,044 | $2,628 |
| Renters | $36,885 | $3,074 | $861 | $1,107 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Missouri | 4.225% | 10.85% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Missouri | 2% | 4.95% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Newburg, MO | 297 | 76 | 23.7% |
| Doolittle, MO | 501 | 84 | 16.5% |
| St. James, MO | 4,184 | 84 | 16.0% |
| Rolla, MO | 20,807 | 91 | 8.9% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Bayou Cane, LA | 20,803 | 96 | 4.5% |
| Germantown, WI | 20,803 | 110 | 9.7% |
| Cocoa, FL | 20,791 | 96 | 3.7% |
| Pittsburg, KS | 20,781 | 83 | 17.0% |
| Warrensburg, MO | 20,839 | 92 | 7.7% |
| Rolla, MO | 20,807 | 91 | 8.9% |
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