Cost of Living in Rolla
Rolla's cost of living pairs a real, disclosed spread on home prices against a property-tax rate essentially at the national median and above Missouri's own statewide average.
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Learn moreA real, disclosed home-price spread
Rolla's home-price figures span $201,295 (Zillow typical value) to $284,000 (Movoto's July 2026 listing median), with Redfin's own median sale price ($224,000) up a real 26.1% year-over-year -- a genuinely fast pace of appreciation on that specific measure.
A property-tax rate near the national median, above Missouri's own average
Rolla's own effective property tax rate (approximately 1.02%-1.03%, Ownwell) runs essentially at the national median (1.02%) and above Missouri's statewide average (0.89%) -- the highest rate of any city in Phelps County.
A real, disclosed student-population income effect
Rolla's median household income ($46,204) runs below the national median, and the city's real, disclosed 23.55% poverty rate plausibly reflects Missouri S&T's substantial student population -- a common pattern in college towns rather than a reflection of the settled working population alone.
Missouri's flat 4.0% income tax applies statewide
Missouri's real, current flat 4.0% state income tax (effective January 1, 2026) applies in Rolla exactly as it does statewide.
Key takeaways
- Home prices carry a real, disclosed spread ($201,295-$284,000) depending on source.
- Effective property tax rate (~1.02%-1.03%) sits essentially at the national median and above Missouri's own statewide average.
- A real 23.55% poverty rate plausibly reflects Rolla's substantial student population.
- Missouri's flat 4.0% state income tax applies regardless of city.
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