Rolla 73 Excellent
Rolla Livability #76 ranked city in Missouri#5,115 ranked city in the USARanks better than 82% of areas
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Local Insights Report

Pros and Cons of Living in Rolla

PROS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    Taking into account the cost of goods and services like housing, groceries, transportation and utilities, the overall cost of living in this area is well below average.

  • Housing Housing

    High scores in the housing category are a distinguishing feature of this area, possibly driven by a favorable home affordability ratio, higher home values and appreciation rates.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Good air quality as well as nearby health facilities like hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, fire and police stations all contribute to a higher than average health and safety score.

CONS
  • Commute Commute

    A low commute score could be due to longer-than-average work commutes and the limited availability of public transportation in this area.

  • Employment Employment

    In the employment category, a low score could be attributed to low income levels and high unemployment in the area, suggesting potential difficulties in finding lucrative employment.

What's it like Living in Rolla?

Rolla, Missouri is a moderately-sized city with a population of 20,807 residents. The majority of Rolla residents report their race to be White; this is followed by Asian and Black. If you are a young adult or student, you might be pleased to know that the average age of all Rolla residents is 27. In Rolla, only 40% of people over the age of fifteen are married. This city could be a good option for singles ready to mingle. Not a fan of sitting in traffic during your commute to work? Rolla offers shorter work commutes, with an average one-way commute time taking only 13 minutes, far lower than the national average of 26 minutes.

If you’re considering moving to any new city, it could be a very intimidating task. However, it could also be a great experience if you are willing to get to know the town before actually living in Rolla, Missouri. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. With useful information like amenities, commute, health & safety, education, employment and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Rolla and in the areas around Rolla is a much easier task.

Rolla has a livability score of 71/100 and is ranked #102 in Missouri and #6,363 in the USA. If we dig down a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Rolla has higher than average rankings for the following: amenities (B-), cost of living (A+), education (B-) and housing (A-). Regrettably for Rolla, there are some categories for which it does not rank well, this includes: crime (F) and employment (D-).

If you're considering living in Rolla, it comes with numerous advantages, particularly in the form of an extensive selection of local amenities. These amenities play a pivotal role in elevating the quality of life within this vibrant community. From easily accessible grocery stores, to conveniently located fitness facilities, a diverse range of dining establishments and a multitude of shopping options, Rolla provides a comprehensive array of resources for its residents. This ensures the effortless fulfillment of your daily needs and creates ample opportunities for relaxation and recreation. The convenience of these local offerings greatly contributes to the overall appeal of the area, making it an enticing destination for those in search of convenience, diversity, and a gratifying lifestyle. If you're contemplating a move, the abundance of local amenities could very well be a defining characteristic of this area.

The unemployment rate in Rolla has consistently declined over the years and currently stands well below the national average at 2.5%. This downward trend holds the potential to reduce poverty and inequality within the region, promote higher wage levels and stimulate greater economic growth. Such positive indicators signal the overall robust health of the local economy, offering a promising outlook for its residents and fostering an environment of financial well-being and prosperity.

Real estate represents the most substantial investment for homebuyers, constituting their most valuable asset. Renters, on the other hand, typically see their monthly rent as their most significant expense. The Rolla market earns a high score in the housing category, surpassing the national average in factors like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates. This robust real estate market not only benefits individual homeowners and renters but also spurs vigorous local economic activity and job growth, solidifying its significance in driving the region's prosperity and financial well-being.

Assuming that Rolla meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Rolla. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Rolla are simply unattainable. Median real estate prices in Rolla come in at $264,052, which is 5.8% higher than the Missouri average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Rolla, the home price to income ratio is 4.7, which is 38.2% higher than the Missouri average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Rolla

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Compare Rolla, MO Livability

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      Rolla transportation information

      Statistic Rolla Missouri National
      Average one way commute13min23min26min
      Workers who drive to work77.2%81.6%76.4%
      Workers who carpool10.4%9.1%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.6%1.5%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.3%0.3%0.6%
      Workers who walk7.8%1.9%2.8%
      Working from home3.6%4.6%4.6%
      Source: The Rolla, MO data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.