Rolla, KS vs Smith Center, KS

Rolla, KS and Smith Center, KS have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.3% difference in their overall index. Rolla scores 58 while Smith Center scores 58 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 Rolla is $713/month compared to $646/month in Smith Center — a 10% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Smith Center has cheaper rent, Rolla actually has lower median home values ($69,200 vs $84,600).

Median household income in Rolla is $61,250 compared to $53,963 in Smith Center (+13.5%). While Rolla is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Rolla spend roughly 14% of their income on rent, less than the 14.4% in Smith Center.