salaryRent here is among the lowest 10% of all U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.8 years of household income. Commutes are short, about 13.9 minutes. Most households rent (61%), so there are plenty of rental options.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $36,280 a year. That is $17 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Missouri cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Missouri. It is number 17 of 142 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Rolla?
Share of households by yearly income. 10.7% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Rolla
| Size | Rolla | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $665 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $695 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $910 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,189 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,497 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Rolla overall?
Everyday prices in Missouri overall are 9% below the U.S. average (index 90.8, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Rolla, so the Missouri figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Rolla
Life in Rolla
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Rolla?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $391 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $187,000 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $18,700 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Rolla, MO?
Renting in Rolla costs a median of about $907 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Missouri median is $1,285.
How much do I need to make to live in Rolla?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $36,280 a year, or $17 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Rolla cheap or expensive?
Rolla is rated OK: rent takes 21.8% of the typical household income of $49,831. It ranks 17th cheapest of 142 Missouri cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Rolla?
The median homeowner in Rolla pays $1,360 a year in property taxes, about 0.73% of the median home value.
Is Rolla more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in Missouri are 9% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Rolla?
The median home value in Rolla is $187,000, about 3.8 times the typical yearly household income.
20,287 people live in Rolla. Numbers are typical (middle) values.