Taos at a glance
- Population: the Census estimates 1,167 residents, ranking 319th of 937 places in Missouri (Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 1,144 residents in the 2020 Census, per the US Census Bureau.
- 2020 to 2023 change: about 2.0% more residents than the 2020 Census base (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Missouri places: 319th largest of 937 (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: it exceeds roughly 66% of Missouri's Census places by population (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: the Census Gazetteer places it at 38.5001, -92.0921.
- Nearest larger cities: Wardsville, MO (5 mi); Jefferson City, MO (6 mi); Holts Summit, MO (10 mi); Linn, MO (13 mi); St. Martins, MO (15 mi), each a US Census place with its estimated population.
- Nearest smaller towns: Westphalia, MO (6 mi); St. Thomas, MO (11 mi); Meta, MO (14 mi) — US Census Bureau populations.
What a personal loan costs in Taos
With an installment loan the payment is fixed for the life of the loan, so the schedule is predictable from the first month to the last.
The advertised interest rate leaves out fees that the APR captures, which is why APR is the number to weigh; try the personal loan calculator before you apply.
Lenders weigh your credit history, income and debts when they set the rate, and the term you choose then determines how that rate compounds into total cost.
Pre-qualification is a good first filter: it shows the rate and amount a lender may offer before you agree to a full application and a hard inquiry.
Missouri lending rules that apply in Taos
The Missouri rate caps and licensing rules that reach Taos are listed below, each with its source and retrieval date.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| State lending regulator | Missouri Division of Finance (Department of Commerce and Insurance) Source says: "We regulate state-chartered banks, trust companies, consumer credit facilities, mortgage brokers, and savings and loan institutions" | Missouri Division of Finance as of 2026-09-16 |
| Additional loan fee cap (30+ day loans) | Up to 10% of principal, capped at $100 (RSMo § 408.140) Source says: "a fee, not to exceed ten percent of the principal amount loaned not to exceed one hundred dollars may be charged by the lender" | Missouri Revisor of Statutes as of 2026-09-16 |
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 10% per annum, or the higher published 'market rate' (RSMo § 408.030) Source says: "a rate of interest not exceeding ten percent per annum on money due or to become due upon any contract" | Missouri Revisor of Statutes as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Legal and licensed — unsecured loans of $500 or less require a license from the Director of the Division of Finance (RSMo § 408.500) Source says: "in the business of making unsecured loans of five hundred dollars or less shall obtain a license from the director of the division of finance" | Missouri Revisor of Statutes as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Consumer credit lenders licensed and regulated by the Division of Finance's consumer credit section (Chapters 367 and 408, RSMo) Source says: "The consumer credit section of the Missouri Division of Finance is responsible for licensing and regulating various types of consumer finance companies" | Missouri Division of Finance as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Taos
These steps are the ones that most affect the offer you receive in Taos:
- Pull your free credit reports and dispute any error — it is the cheapest way to improve the rate you are offered.
- Run your figures through the personal loan calculator on this site so you know the payment before a lender quotes one.
- Pre-qualify with at least three lenders and compare the APR, not the interest rate.
- Check that the lender is licensed in Missouri using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.