Joplin, MO vs Rolla, MO

Joplin, MO and Rolla, MO have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.9% difference in their overall index. Joplin scores 70 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 Joplin is $889/month compared to $790/month in Rolla — a 13% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Rolla has cheaper rent, Joplin actually has lower median home values ($159,700 vs $177,400).

Median household income in Joplin is $51,154 compared to $42,518 in Rolla (+20.3%). Joplin offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Joplin spend roughly 20.9% of their income on rent, less than the 22.3% in Rolla.