What are the schools like in Tarkio, MO?

Tarkio is served primarily by TARKIO R-I. The district operates 1 elementary schools, several middle schools, and 1 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 7.8:1.

What is the median household income in Tarkio?

The median household income in Tarkio, MO is $56,875 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 2.8%.

What is the weather like in Tarkio, MO?

Tarkio has an average high temperature of 33.4°F in January and 84.9°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 34.7 inches and annual snowfall averages 30.4 inches.

Tarkio, MO Cost of Living, Crime & Is It a Good Place to Live? (2026)

Q: Is Tarkio, MO affordable or expensive?

Tarkio's cost of living index is 87, where 100 represents the national average. This means Tarkio is 13% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $82,700 and the median rent is $625 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in Tarkio, MO?

Crime rate data for Tarkio is not currently available from the FBI's reported data.

Is Tarkio, MO a Good Place to Live?

Tarkio is a small town of 1,473 in Missouri, with a median household income of $56,875 and a 2.8% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 87 (US average = 100), which is 13% below the national average.

Strengths: Tarkio stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (A-), short average commutes.

Trade-offs: No major red flags stand out in the available data. Whether Tarkio is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Tarkio 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: 86.7

Tarkio's overall cost of living index is 86.7, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Tarkio costs roughly 13% less than the average American city.

Metric	Tarkio, MO	National Avg
Median Home Value	$82,700	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$625	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	69.4%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$56,875	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Crime data for Tarkio is not currently available from the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program. Not all local agencies report to the UCR each year.

Schools & Education

Tarkio is served primarily by TARKIO R-I. The student-to-teacher ratio is 7.8:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Tarkio, MO	National Avg
School District	TARKIO R-I	—
Elementary Schools	1	—
Middle Schools	N/A	—
High Schools	1	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	7.8:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	20.6%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	88.4%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Tarkio sees average highs of 33.4°F in January and 84.9°F in July, with 34.7 inches of annual precipitation and 30.4 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Tarkio, MO
Average High — January	33.4°F
Average High — July	84.9°F
Annual Precipitation	34.7"
Annual Snowfall	30.4"

Demographics

Metric	Tarkio, MO	National Avg
Population	1,473	—
Median Age	45.3	38.9
Unemployment Rate	2.8%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	21.5 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	93.5%	59.3%
Black or African American	0.4%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	5.3%	18.9%
Asian	0.0%	6.3%
Under 18	18.0%	22.2%
65 and over	25.7%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Westboro, MO 7 mi Fairfax, MO 7 mi Rock Port, MO 8 mi Phelps City, MO 12 mi Northboro, IA 12 mi

ZIP Codes in Tarkio

Tarkio, MO is covered by 1 ZIP code:

64491

Tarkio vs Other Cities

Tarkio, MO vs Westboro, MO Tarkio, MO vs Fairfax, MO Tarkio, MO vs Rock Port, MO Tarkio, MO vs Phelps City, MO Tarkio, MO vs Northboro, IA

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Tarkio, MO affordable or expensive?

Tarkio's cost of living index is 87, where 100 is the national average. That makes Tarkio roughly 13% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $82,700 and median rent is $625/month.

What is the crime rate in Tarkio, MO?

Crime data for Tarkio is not available in the current FBI UCR reporting year. Not all jurisdictions submit data annually.

What are the schools like in Tarkio?

Public schools in Tarkio are operated by TARKIO R-I. The district has 1 elementary, several middle, and 1 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 7.8:1. 20.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Tarkio, MO a good place to live?

Tarkio, MO has a population of 1,473, a median household income of $56,875, and an unemployment rate of 2.8%. 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.

What is the weather like in Tarkio?

Tarkio averages 33.4°F in January and 84.9°F in July. Annual rainfall is 34.7 inches with about 30.4 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Tarkio?

Tarkio, MO is covered by 1 ZIP code: 64491.

What is the population of Tarkio?

The population of Tarkio, Missouri is 1,473 with a median age of 45.3. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Tarkio?

Key numbers for living in Tarkio: cost of living index 87 (100 = US average), median home $82,700, median household income $56,875, schools rated A-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Tarkio side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.