Carl Junction is a small town of 8,197 in Missouri, with a median household income of $69,259
and a 2.1% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 86 (US average = 100), which is
14% below the national average.
Strengths:
Carl Junction stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, lower-than-average crime, solid school ratings (A-), a well-educated population, short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
No major red flags stand out in the available data. Whether Carl Junction is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Carl Junction city data on this page comes from official government sources —
the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.
Cost of Living
Index: 85.6
Carl Junction's overall cost of living index is 85.6,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Carl Junction costs roughly 14% less than the average American city.
Metric
Carl Junction, MO
National Avg
Median Home Value
$183,200
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$1,140
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
76.4%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$69,259
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
Carl Junction's violent crime rate is 272.3 per 100,000 residents
— 28% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
272.3 /100k
Property Crime
639.4 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Carl Junction is served primarily by CARL JUNCTION R-I.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.8:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Carl Junction, MO
National Avg
School District
CARL JUNCTION R-I
—
Elementary Schools
2
—
Middle Schools
2
—
High Schools
1
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
13.8:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
38.7%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
96.1%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Carl Junction sees average highs of 44.8°F in January
and 90.3°F in July,
with 45.6 inches of annual precipitation
and 7.8 inches of snow per year.
Carl Junction's cost of living index is 86, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Carl Junction roughly 14% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $183,200 and median rent is $1,140/month.
Carl Junction's violent crime rate is 272.3 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 639.4 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Carl Junction are operated by CARL JUNCTION R-I.
The district has 2 elementary, 2 middle, and 1 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.8:1. 38.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Carl Junction, MO has a population of 8,197, a median household income of $69,259, and an unemployment rate of 2.1%.
It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.
Carl Junction averages 44.8°F in January and 90.3°F in July. Annual rainfall is 45.6 inches
with about 7.8 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Carl Junction, MO is covered by 1 ZIP code: 64834.
The population of Carl Junction, Missouri is 8,197 with a median age of 34.2. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Carl Junction: cost of living index 86 (100 = US average), median home $183,200, median household income $69,259, crime index 55 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated A-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Carl Junction side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.