Berkeley, MO vs Rolla, MO

Berkeley, MO and Rolla, MO have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.7% difference in their overall index. Berkeley scores 72 while Rolla scores 71 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Berkeley is $1,075/month compared to $790/month in Rolla — a 36% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Rolla has cheaper rent, Berkeley actually has lower median home values ($80,000 vs $177,400).

Median household income in Berkeley is $40,654 compared to $42,518 in Rolla (-4.4%). Rolla offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Berkeley spend roughly 31.7% of their income on rent, more than the 22.3% in Rolla. The Rolla ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.