City profile
Rolla, MO
Phelps County · Population 20,287
Rolla is a town in Phelps County, MO with about 20,287 residents and a typical home value near $187,000. It is 76 miles from Columbia, MO, which shapes its climate, healthcare access and amenities.
Climate
Climate type
Four seasons
Winter avg
33°F
Summer avg
79°F
Sunny days / yr
205
Home prices & cost of living
Median home price
$187,000
Typical monthly housing
$1,167
Cost of living (100 = U.S.)
79
Taxes
- Property tax
- 0.97%
- State income tax (top)
- 4.7%
- Social Security
- Not taxed
- Pensions
- Partly exempt
- Sales tax (state + avg. local)
- 8.39%
FEMA natural hazard risk
Relatively Low · county score 54/100
Top hazards: Heat wave, Ice storm, Earthquake
Nearest major airport
94 mi to St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL)
Political lean (2024 county vote)
Leans Republican · 28% Democratic / 71% Republican
Community
Population
20,287
Black population
4.9%
County
Phelps County
Detailed crime figures are available for our 201 hand-researched cities.
2025–2026 trends
2026 market trends
- ▸Home prices are still rising in 2026 — good for long-term value, less room to negotiate
- ▸Climate/cost risks to check: tornadoes
Highlights
- About 20,287 residents
- Typical home value about $187,000
- 76 miles from Columbia, MO
Trade-offs
- Scores for this place are estimated from Census data and the nearest major city
Figures are estimates from public sources (see How we match). Verify before making decisions.