Living in Rolla, Missouri
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Rolla · Census data 2020–2024
Rolla has 20,287 residents with a median age of 28.2. The median household income is $46,204 (35% lower than the Missouri median), the median home value is $187,000, the median rent is $789/month.
Rolla at a glance
- Population
- 20,287
- Median age
- 28.2State: 39
- Median household income
- $46,204State: $70,702
- Median home value
- $187,000State: $230,300
- Median rent
- $789/moState: $1,033
- Homeowners
- 39.4%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 35.6%
- Average commute
- 14 min
Is Rolla a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 19% lower than the state median; an average commute of 14 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 35% lower than the Missouri median; unemployment of 4.6%; a poverty rate of 23.6%.
The weather is best in May–June and September–October.
Cost of living in Rolla
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Rolla the median home value is $187,000, 44% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $789 per month, which is 30.5% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,286 a month in housing costs.
Rolla median household income
The median household income in Rolla is $46,204 and the income per person is $25,226. 23.6% of residents live below the poverty line (Missouri: 12.6%).
Housing in Rolla: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 9,238
- Owner-occupied
- 39.4%
- Renter-occupied
- 60.6%
- Vacant
- 13.3%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1985
- Average household size
- 2.20
Rolla demographics
- Population
- 20,287
- Median age
- 28.2
- Under 18
- 18.5%
- 65 and older
- 14.1%
- Households
- 8,005
- Foreign-born
- 7.9%
- Veterans
- 5.8%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Rolla ›
Education in Rolla
35.6% of adults 25 and older in Rolla have a bachelor's degree or higher (Missouri: 32.4%), and 17.6% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Rolla
- Unemployment rate
- 4.6%State: 4%
- Average commute
- 14 minState: 24 min
- Work from home
- 6.3%
- Drive alone
- 70.8%
- Public transit
- 0.2%
- Walk to work
- 5%
- Homes with broadband
- 89.8%
Rolla vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rolla | 20,287 | $46,204 | $187,000 | $789 |
| Doolittle | 561 | $40,417 | $119,200 | $633 |
| Newburg | 331 | $24,911 | $57,500 | $775 |
| St. James | 3,916 | $53,453 | $142,000 | $695 |
| Edgar Springs | 224 | $51,771 | $95,000 | — |
| Dixon | 1,334 | $49,904 | $134,200 | $644 |
| Vienna | 661 | $38,221 | $159,400 | $591 |
| Indian Lake | 1,135 | $71,354 | $193,100 | — |
| Cuba | 3,189 | $45,916 | $136,600 | $744 |
More for people moving to Rolla
Rolla ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Rolla: FAQ
What is the median household income in Rolla, MO?
The median household income in Rolla is $46,204, 35% lower than the Missouri median of $70,702 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Rolla?
The median home value in Rolla is $187,000, compared with $230,300 in Missouri.
How much is rent in Rolla?
The median gross rent in Rolla is $789 per month, about 30.5% of household income.
Is Rolla, MO a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 19% lower than the state median; an average commute of 14 minutes. Minuses: median household income 35% lower than the Missouri median; unemployment of 4.6%; a poverty rate of 23.6%.
What is the median age in Rolla?
The median age in Rolla is 28.2 years (Missouri: 39).
How long is the commute in Rolla?
The average commute to work in Rolla is 14 minutes; 6.3% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Rolla?
The unemployment rate in Rolla is 4.6% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Rolla?
35.6% of adults in Rolla have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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