Retirement Lists

Cost of Living in Rolla, Missouri

Missouri, National Bank of Rolla Building.
Photo by Stephenjayson via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Rolla cost of living

A Rolla budget starts with current housing terms, utilities, car costs, and a seasonal reserve

The catalog lists a $628 one-bedroom gross-rent estimate, an $823 two-bedroom estimate, and estimated monthly figures of $2,672 for a local resident, $4,145 for a couple, and $3,619 for a traveler. It also lists groceries at $472, utilities at $218, transportation at $1,077, healthcare at $495, 7 nearby pharmacies, internet at 331.09 Mbps, and low property taxes. These are starting lines rather than a quoted Rolla household budget. HUD's FY2026 Phelps County fair-market-rent figures are a separate county benchmark, not a Rolla listing median.

Rolla publishes city tax information and Rolla Municipal Utilities publishes electric and water charges effective October 1, 2025. Add heating and cooling, car insurance, fuel, maintenance, prescriptions, internet, parking, snow or storm work, home repairs, insurance, campus or theater events, and regional trips. Compare a downtown, campus, residential, and highway-access home because rent, noise, parking, utilities, route length, and seasonal comfort can vary by address.

Planning a monthly budget

A local monthly estimate of $2,672 gives you the starting point, with transportation taking the largest share.

Housing
$628
Utilities (in rent)
$218
Food
$472/mo
Transportation
$1,077/mo
Healthcare
$495

Utilities are included in housing so they are not added twice. The separate Utilities row is a reference estimate.

How the total can change

A traveler style stay, a couple household, and long term rent answer different planning questions.

Comfortable Living
$3,619

Very Good

Cost of Living for Couple
$4,145

Very Good

Typical 1BR Rent
$628

Excellent

Everyday expenses

Dining, transportation, taxes, and car needs can change how the monthly budget feels.

Dining Out
$223/mo

Excellent

Need for a Car
Required
Property Taxes
Low

Good

Overall Feel
Good
Residents 65+ Below Poverty Level
16.6%
65+ Householder — Renter Occupied
44.9%
65+ Households With High Housing Costs
40.8%
Median Household Income, Householder 65+
$40,317

Could Rolla fit your monthly retirement budget?

Compare your monthly budget with a city estimate. Add your expected housing amount when you have a more useful number.

Housing

Enter your expected rent and required housing charges, or leave this blank to use the current renter amount.

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Starting renter estimates

Use these broad monthly estimates as a starting point, then replace them with costs you know.

One person
$2,672 per month
Two people
$4,145 per month

One-person estimate breakdown

Housing
$628
Food
$472
Transportation
$1,077
Healthcare
$495

Taxes, debt, insurance, out-of-pocket care, travel, and one-time moving costs may not be included.

Rolla in everyday life

Could Rolla work for you?

What may work well

  • The catalog gives Rolla housing, food, utilities, transport, healthcare, pharmacies, internet, and hospital lines to price around.
  • City parks, library, theater, campus events, and local care can keep many interests close when the home is well placed.
  • City tax and utility sources provide current starting points for a household that verifies rates and the exact jurisdiction.

What to think about

  • Catalog rent and monthly totals are estimates rather than a verified Rolla household budget.
  • A car, heating and cooling, maintenance, insurance, snow, campus traffic, prescriptions, and regional trips can change the annual cost.
  • County fair-market-rent figures and city utility rates are useful references but do not replace current terms for one home.

Price a Rolla household from the exact address outward

  1. Get written housing terms

    Confirm rent or purchase price, city taxes, utilities, water, internet, parking, accessibility, repairs, heating, cooling, insurance, campus or community fees, and renewal terms.

  2. Count the movement month

    Add fuel, insurance, maintenance, pharmacy, food, primary care, Phelps Health, SMTS, Missouri S&T, library, theater, family, and regional routes.

  3. Price an irregular year

    Add HVAC service, roof or tree work, snow or storm cleanup, car repair, medical referral, prescription, deductible, generator service, and temporary lodging reserve.

Questions retirees ask

How much does it cost to retire in Rolla?

The catalog lists a $628 one-bedroom reference and estimated monthly figures, but those are planning references. Verify current housing, utilities, city taxes, car costs, insurance, food, care, prescriptions, maintenance, travel, and weather reserves.

What should I add to a Rolla housing budget?

Add rent or purchase costs, utilities, city taxes, heating and cooling, car insurance, fuel, maintenance, internet, parking, food, pharmacy, care, prescriptions, repairs, snow service, events, and regional travel.

Are HUD rent figures the same as Rolla rent?

No. HUD's FY2026 Phelps County fair-market-rent figures are county benchmarks. Compare them with current Rolla listings, lease terms, utilities, parking, accessibility, and the exact neighborhood.

Is the catalog transportation figure a promise?

No. The $1,077 transportation reference is a planning input. Compare actual car ownership, fuel, insurance, maintenance, parking, SMTS, hospital, family, campus, and recreation routes.

Who may find Rolla costs manageable?

It may fit someone who wants a practical town, can absorb car and home-maintenance costs, and chooses an address that keeps food, pharmacy, care, services, and seasonal access manageable.

Rolla cost is an exact-address question. Start with current housing, city taxes, and utility rates, then add car, care, food, insurance, maintenance, events, seasonal access, regional travel, and a reserve for the household's actual needs.

Sources

The budget value gives a starting point for everyday spending. Housing, healthcare, safety, and climate can change what feels comfortable for a household.

Housing mix, exchange rates, healthcare needs, car ownership, and travel style can move a real monthly budget materially.

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How this city research is made

Retirement Lists uses documented public sources and methods to research, review, and correct city information. Read our Editorial Policy.