Choctaw County scores 69.8, significantly exceeding the national median of 50.0 by nearly 40%. The county ranks among the best-performing counties nationally for overall quality of life.
2 / 5
Tops the Oklahoma Average
At 69.8, Choctaw County edges above Oklahoma's state average of 68.4, placing it among the state's better-performing counties. It represents a strong livability option within Oklahoma.
3 / 5
Lowest Tax Burden, Deepest Affordability
Choctaw County delivers the lowest effective tax rate (0.419%) and highest cost score (87.5) among all eight counties, with median home values of $119,700 and rent at just $676/month. This exceptional affordability dominates the county's livability profile.
4 / 5
Minimal Income and Limited Health Services
The income score of 13.1 reflects a median household income of $45,456—the lowest among these counties. Health outcomes at 51.1 also suggest limited medical infrastructure or preventive care resources.
5 / 5
Premier Choice for Cost-Conscious Retirees
Choctaw County is tailor-made for retirees living on pensions or those with remote income seeking maximum purchasing power. It's the most affordable option here but demands acceptance of lower local income potential.
Choctaw County scores 69.8, significantly exceeding the national median of 50.0 by nearly 40%. The county ranks among the best-performing counties nationally for overall quality of life.
Tops the Oklahoma Average
At 69.8, Choctaw County edges above Oklahoma's state average of 68.4, placing it among the state's better-performing counties. It represents a strong livability option within Oklahoma.
Lowest Tax Burden, Deepest Affordability
Choctaw County delivers the lowest effective tax rate (0.419%) and highest cost score (87.5) among all eight counties, with median home values of $119,700 and rent at just $676/month. This exceptional affordability dominates the county's livability profile.
Minimal Income and Limited Health Services
The income score of 13.1 reflects a median household income of $45,456—the lowest among these counties. Health outcomes at 51.1 also suggest limited medical infrastructure or preventive care resources.
Premier Choice for Cost-Conscious Retirees
Choctaw County is tailor-made for retirees living on pensions or those with remote income seeking maximum purchasing power. It's the most affordable option here but demands acceptance of lower local income potential.
Score breakdown
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🏛90.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Choctaw County's effective tax rate of 0.419% ranks among the lowest in the nation, well below the national median of 0.652%. At just $502 per year on a median home value of $119,700, property taxes here are roughly 19% of the national median bill.
Oklahoma's lowest-tax county
Choctaw County boasts Oklahoma's lowest effective tax rate at 0.419%, a full 0.233 percentage points below the state average of 0.652%. This is a stark contrast to peers and a defining economic advantage for the county.
Lowest tax burden in the region
Choctaw County's 0.419% rate vastly undercuts all neighbors—Cimarron County (0.408%) is nearly identical, but Canadian County (0.981%) and Comanche County (0.898%) are more than double. Few regions in Oklahoma offer tax relief comparable to Choctaw.
Minimal $502 annual tax bill
On Choctaw County's median home value of $119,700, property taxes amount to just $502 per year. With a mortgage, that rises to $813; without one, it falls to $403—among the lowest in the state.
Worth a quick assessment check
Although Choctaw County offers exceptional tax rates, homeowners should still verify their assessments, as misvaluations can occur even in low-tax counties. A simple appeal could confirm your home is properly valued or unlock modest additional savings.
Choctaw County offers budget-friendly housing relief
At 17.9%, Choctaw County's rent-to-income ratio matches affordability standards while offering some of Oklahoma's lowest absolute rents at $676 monthly. The median household income of $45,456 ranks among the state's lowest, yet housing costs remain remarkably accessible.
Solid middle ground for Oklahoma affordability
Choctaw County's 17.9% rent-to-income ratio sits just above the state average of 17.0%, while its median rent of $676 significantly undercuts Oklahoma's $814 state median. This county demonstrates how lower absolute costs can offset lower incomes.
Lowest rents in the broader region
Choctaw County's $676 median rent ranks among the absolute lowest across these eight counties, beaten only by Cimarron County's $682. For renters prioritizing maximum savings, this county delivers exceptional value.
Housing costs minimal in percentage terms
Renters spend just $676 monthly while homeowners pay $582, with median homes valued under $120,000—extraordinary affordability in national context. At roughly 18% of the $45,456 median household income, housing leaves substantial resources for other needs despite lean earnings.
Choctaw County: maximum housing affordability
Relocating here means the lowest absolute housing costs across this county set, freeing up income for savings, family support, or investments. However, verify employment opportunities carefully, as lower incomes suggest a smaller local job market than more prosperous neighboring counties.
Choctaw County's median household income of $45,456 lags the U.S. median of $74,755 by $29,299—a stark 39% shortfall. This places the county among the lowest-earning regions in the nation.
Lowest income county in Oklahoma
Choctaw County's median household income of $45,456 ranks as the lowest among Oklahoma's counties, running 22% below the state average of $58,273. Per capita income of $26,272 also trails the state average of $30,609 by 14%.
Significantly lagging all regional peers
Choctaw County's $45,456 income trails Cherokee County ($53,668) by $8,212 and falls $13,544 below Coal County ($48,162). The county faces the steepest economic challenges in its region.
Housing costs strain limited budgets
Despite a rent-to-income ratio of 17.9% that appears manageable, Choctaw County's low median income of $45,456 leaves little margin for unexpected expenses. Median home value of $119,700 is affordable in absolute terms, but difficult on these wages.
Focus on stability before aggressive investing
With incomes significantly below state and national averages, Choctaw County residents should prioritize stable employment and emergency savings over investment portfolios. Local economic development and workforce training programs may offer the fastest path to income growth.
Life expectancy of 68.3 years ranks among the lowest in the nation, trailing the U.S. average by 4.2 years and Oklahoma's average by 4.4 years. At 25.8%, the poor/fair health rate is one of the highest, reflecting severe chronic disease burden across the population.
Oklahoma's health warning sign
Choctaw County's 68.3-year life expectancy is the lowest among all counties analyzed here and represents a major public health concern within Oklahoma. The 25.8% poor/fair health rate signals that more than one in four residents struggle with health daily.
Worst health outcomes in the region
Choctaw County's 68.3-year life expectancy and 25.8% poor/fair health rate are substantially worse than all peer counties, including Coal (70.0 years) and Carter (71.7 years). The 15.4% uninsured rate sits near state average, but health challenges run far deeper than insurance alone.
Unusual mental health resources, primary care shortfall
Choctaw County has exceptionally high mental health provider capacity at 827 per 100,000—the highest in the state—yet only 42 primary care providers per 100K, suggesting a mismatch between available specialists and primary care access. This imbalance likely reflects either specific program investments or severe primary care shortages.
Coverage is essential—take action today
With life expectancy well below state average, every resident deserves healthcare access. If you're uninsured, enroll immediately at healthcare.gov or contact local federally qualified health centers to begin turning these statistics around.
With a composite risk score of 49.90, Choctaw County sits in the relatively low category and performs better than many U.S. counties for overall natural disaster exposure. This lower score reflects reduced vulnerability compared to the national median.
Among Oklahoma's safest counties
Choctaw County ranks well below the state average of 55.47 and falls in the lower-risk tier of Oklahoma's 77 counties. This positions it as one of the state's more protected areas from natural hazards.
One of the region's safer options
Choctaw County's score of 49.90 is notably lower than Canadian County (83.49), Cherokee County (76.91), and Comanche County (86.23). The county is considerably less vulnerable than most of its regional peers in southern Oklahoma.
Tornadoes pose the primary threat
Tornado risk reaches 80.63 in Choctaw County, making it the dominant natural hazard despite the county's overall lower risk profile. Wildfire risk at 65.14 and hurricane risk at 43.72 present secondary concerns.
Focus on tornado preparedness foremost
Ensure your homeowner's policy covers tornado damage and identify a safe shelter or reinforced room in your home for severe weather events. While Choctaw County faces lower overall risk, tornado season preparation remains essential.