Beckham County scores 66.6, placing it in the 72nd percentile nationally and 33 points above the national median of 50.0. While solidly above average, it lags some neighboring Oklahoma counties in overall livability.
2 / 5
Slightly below Oklahoma average
With a score of 66.6, Beckham falls just beneath Oklahoma's state average of 68.4, putting it in the lower-middle tier of the state's counties. Strategic improvements could help it keep pace with stronger-performing peers.
3 / 5
Tax efficiency and disaster safety
Beckham County delivers a tax score of 80.0 with an effective rate of 0.792%, and boasts the lowest risk score (42.2) among these counties, indicating minimal natural disaster exposure. A health score of 57.6 also supports solid community wellness.
4 / 5
Income and housing affordability lag
The county's income score of 17.5 reflects a median household income of $52,323, and its cost score of 81.7 is the lowest among these eight counties, with median rents of $821/month. Housing affordability pressures coupled with modest incomes create economic tightness for working families.
5 / 5
Good for risk-averse retirees
Beckham County is best suited for retirees and disaster-conscious households seeking minimal natural hazard exposure and predictable tax costs. Its low-risk profile appeals to those prioritizing safety over job growth opportunities.
Beckham County scores 66.6, placing it in the 72nd percentile nationally and 33 points above the national median of 50.0. While solidly above average, it lags some neighboring Oklahoma counties in overall livability.
Slightly below Oklahoma average
With a score of 66.6, Beckham falls just beneath Oklahoma's state average of 68.4, putting it in the lower-middle tier of the state's counties. Strategic improvements could help it keep pace with stronger-performing peers.
Tax efficiency and disaster safety
Beckham County delivers a tax score of 80.0 with an effective rate of 0.792%, and boasts the lowest risk score (42.2) among these counties, indicating minimal natural disaster exposure. A health score of 57.6 also supports solid community wellness.
Income and housing affordability lag
The county's income score of 17.5 reflects a median household income of $52,323, and its cost score of 81.7 is the lowest among these eight counties, with median rents of $821/month. Housing affordability pressures coupled with modest incomes create economic tightness for working families.
Good for risk-averse retirees
Beckham County is best suited for retirees and disaster-conscious households seeking minimal natural hazard exposure and predictable tax costs. Its low-risk profile appeals to those prioritizing safety over job growth opportunities.
Score breakdown
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Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Beckham County's 0.792% effective tax rate ranks above the national median of 0.87%, placing it among the nation's higher-tax counties. With a median home value of $153,400, Beckham homeowners face annual bills exceeding most Oklahoma peers.
Beckham leads Oklahoma in tax rates
At 0.792%, Beckham County has the highest effective tax rate among all 77 Oklahoma counties, 22% above the state average of 0.652%. Beckham residents pay significantly more than typical Oklahomans on comparable properties.
Beckham dominates western Oklahoma rates
Beckham's 0.792% rate far exceeds neighboring Beaver County (0.761%) and all other surrounding counties in the Panhandle region. Western Oklahomans relocating to Beckham should expect the state's steepest property tax climb.
What $153,400 home costs yearly
The median Beckham County home triggers $1,215 in annual property taxes—roughly $3.33 daily. With mortgage-related fees, residents pay $1,520 per year, the highest median tax bill among all Oklahoma counties in this analysis.
Challenge assessments to reclaim savings
Beckham County homeowners should carefully verify their assessed values against current market sales, as overassessment costs compound at the county's high rate. Even a small reduction in assessed value can save $100+ annually.
Beckham County residents face an 18.8% rent-to-income ratio—significantly above both Oklahoma's 17.0% state average and most national benchmarks. Despite earning $52,323 annually, renters pay $821 monthly, making Beckham one of the least affordable counties in this analysis.
Among Oklahoma's least affordable counties
Beckham's 18.8% rent-to-income ratio ranks among the highest in Oklahoma, placing it in the affordability basement statewide. The county's median rent of $821 exceeds the state average by roughly $7, compounding the burden on lower incomes.
Beckham's costs outpace regional neighbors
At $821 monthly rent, Beckham is the priciest rental market in this eight-county group, significantly above Beaver County's $782 and Adair's $650. Even owner costs of $786 represent the second-highest burden in the region.
Housing consumes nearly a fifth of income
Median gross rent of $821 and median owner costs of $786 together claim roughly 31% of Beckham's $52,323 annual household income. Renters especially face tight budgets, as rent alone approaches one-fifth of gross earnings.
Beckham challenges tight-budget relocators
Unless your income exceeds Beckham's median of $52,323, or you can purchase a home, budget carefully before relocating here. The county's 18.8% rent burden leaves renters with less financial flexibility than most Oklahoma alternatives.
Beckham County's median household income of $52,323 is 30% below the U.S. median of $74,755. This gap is consistent with rural western Oklahoma counties facing limited economic diversification.
Below state average for Oklahoma
At $52,323, Beckham's median household income trails Oklahoma's state average of $58,273 by 10%. The county ranks in the lower-middle tier among Oklahoma's 77 counties by household earnings.
Beckham faces affordability pressure
Beckham's $52,323 income is comparable to Atoka ($52,034) and Caddo ($52,817), but notably lags Beaver ($64,266) and Blaine ($59,304). This clustering reflects the economic divide between panhandle and western/southern counties.
Housing costs strain budgets
Beckham's rent-to-income ratio of 18.8% is the highest among these eight counties, indicating housing expenses consume a larger share of household income. Median home values of $153,400 further stress affordability relative to median income.
Strategic planning crucial in Beckham
With median income of $52,323 and elevated housing costs, Beckham families must prioritize budgeting and debt reduction before investing. Focus on building an emergency fund and paying down high-interest debt to free up capital for wealth building.
At 72.2 years, Beckham County's life expectancy falls about 3.2 years short of the U.S. average of 75.4 years. Just under 22% report poor or fair health, closer to the national average of 18% than many Oklahoma counties, suggesting manageable health challenges.
Slightly below state average
Beckham County's 72.2-year life expectancy runs 0.5 years below Oklahoma's average of 72.7 years, placing it near the state midpoint. Its 21.9% poor/fair health rate exceeds the state average, indicating more chronic disease and preventable illness than typical.
Moderate health standing regionally
Beckham County's 72.2-year life expectancy trails Alfalfa (77.7 years) and Beaver (76.5 years) but exceeds Adair (69.3 years) and Caddo (69.0 years). With 50 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Beckham offers solid access to routine care compared to neighboring counties.
Moderate coverage, good provider access
At 15.5%, Beckham County's uninsured rate closely mirrors Oklahoma's state average of 15.3%, suggesting healthcare stability for most residents. The county supports 50 primary care providers and 313 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, delivering solid healthcare infrastructure.
Strengthen your safety net
Even though most Beckham County residents are insured, gaps remain—especially for those earning just above eligibility thresholds. Check Healthcare.gov or ChooseOK.org to see if you qualify for subsidies or coverage upgrades that improve your access to preventive care.
Beckham County's composite risk score of 57.82 positions it in the "Relatively Low" category but distinctly above typical U.S. county exposure. This elevated score reflects significant tornado and wildfire risks that drive the overall hazard picture.
Slightly above Oklahoma's average risk
Beckham's 57.82 score edges above Oklahoma's 55.47 average, placing it in the upper-middle tier of state risk. The county faces greater tornado exposure than most of its state peers.
Beckham faces elevated regional risk
At 57.82, Beckham scores higher than safer neighbors like Beaver (37.82) but lower than Bryan County (74.55). Its tornado risk of 86.74 stands out as particularly severe within the regional context.
Tornadoes and wildfires threaten Beckham
Tornado risk at 86.74 is exceptionally high, making Beckham one of Oklahoma's tornado-prone counties—residents face significant seasonal storm danger. Wildfire risk of 90.71 compounds the threat, creating a dual hazard environment.
Prioritize tornado shelter and wildfire coverage
Beckham residents must ensure homeowner's insurance covers tornado damage and include wildfire protection, as both hazards pose substantial threats. Invest in a reinforced shelter or safe room designed to withstand tornado winds, and maintain defensible space around your property by clearing vegetation within 30-50 feet of structures.