countyscore
54.3
County Score
Property Tax 93.3Cost of Living 88.7Disaster Risk 52.7

County Report Card

About Cimarron County, Oklahoma

Exceeding National Expectations

Cimarron County outpaces the country with a composite score of 54.4, well above the national median of 50.0. It is a rare rural outlier that manages high affordability without sacrificing safety.

A Top Performer in Oklahoma

With a score of 54.4, Cimarron County easily beats the state average of 43.0. It ranks among the most livable counties in Oklahoma, largely due to its fiscal and safety advantages.

Exceptional Financial and Safety Metrics

The county shines with a tax score of 93.4 and a housing cost score of 91.8, driven by $94,500 median home values. It also maintains a strong risk management profile with a risk score of 52.7.

Lagging Schools and Moderate Income

Educational scores are a weak spot at 17.3, indicating a need for school investment. The income score is also moderate at 30.9, reflecting a median household income of $57,204.

Perfect for Quiet, Low-Cost Living

Cimarron County is a prime choice for those seeking a safe, ultra-affordable lifestyle in the Panhandle. It best suits households who prioritize low taxes and home prices over school rankings.

2040608010093.388.733.844.517.340.252.732.447.4Tax93.3Cost88.7Safety33.8Health44.5Schools17.3Income40.2Risk52.7Water32.4Weather47.454.3/100
This county
National avg
2 above average4 below average

Cimarron County DNA

Foverall

How Cimarron County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Cimarron County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Property Tax (93.3/100) but notably weak in Schools (17.3/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
93.3+41.3
Cost
88.7+40.7
Safety
33.8-21.200000000000003
Health
44.5
Schools
17.3-36.7
Income
40.2-10.799999999999997
Risk
52.7
Water
32.4-25.6
Weather
47.4-8.600000000000001
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$98,600

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$718/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$98,600/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$28,720/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum1.6x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $62,188/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

89.0

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Counties with similar scores

Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region
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Median income: $90,589
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Huntington County
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Oscoda County
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Bollinger County
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Morgan County
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Schoharie County
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Richland County
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Houston County
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Median income: $58,626
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Nearby counties

Dallam County
Texas
39.8
Baca County
Colorado
63.3
Morton County
Kansas
41.5
Sherman County
Texas
53.3
Union County
New Mexico
57.5
Texas County
Oklahoma
39
Hartley County
Texas
48.8
Stanton County
Kansas
65.7

Deep Dives

Cimarron County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Cimarron County

via TaxByCounty

Cimarron County has among lowest U.S. taxes

Cimarron County's effective tax rate of 0.408% ranks in the bottom tier of all U.S. counties, well below the national median of 0.652%. At $386 per year on a median home of $94,500, taxes are just 14% of the national median bill.

Near-bottom property tax rate statewide

Cimarron County's 0.408% effective rate is nearly tied with Choctaw County (0.419%) for Oklahoma's lowest, dramatically underperforming the state average of 0.652%. Homeowners enjoy exceptionally light tax burdens by state and national standards.

Tied for regional tax advantage

Cimarron County's 0.408% rate nearly mirrors Choctaw County (0.419%) and beats Coal County (0.584%) and Cherokee County (0.565%). In the Oklahoma panhandle and surrounding region, Cimarron offers one of the best tax climates.

Extremely low $386 annual bill

Cimarron County homeowners pay approximately $386 annually on a median home value of $94,500. With a mortgage, escrow adjustments push this to $811; without, it drops to just $296.

Even modest properties deserve review

Cimarron County's remarkably low tax rates mean every dollar counts, making an assessment check worthwhile regardless of home value. If your property was overassessed relative to comparables, filing an appeal costs nothing and directly protects your budget.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Cimarron County

via IncomeByCounty

Cimarron County moderately below national income

Cimarron County's median household income of $57,204 falls $17,551 short of the U.S. median of $74,755, placing it in the lower third nationally. The 23% gap reflects rural panhandle economic conditions.

Near state average for Oklahoma

Cimarron County's median household income of $57,204 runs just $1,069 below Oklahoma's state average of $58,273, positioning it close to the middle of state counties. Per capita income of $35,550 significantly exceeds the state average of $30,609 by 16%.

Mid-tier among regional competitors

Cimarron County's $57,204 income ranks below Cherokee ($53,668)—wait, that's incorrect; it's actually $3,536 above Cherokee County. The county performs at moderate levels relative to its southeastern Oklahoma neighbors.

Best housing affordability in the region

Cimarron County boasts the lowest rent-to-income ratio among its peers at just 14.3%, well below the 30% affordability threshold and below its state average. With median home value of only $94,500, housing costs consume minimal household budgets here.

Low housing costs enable better savings

Cimarron County's exceptionally affordable housing frees up household income for savings and investments compared to higher-cost regions. This advantage allows residents to build wealth despite moderate earnings—prioritize automatic contributions to retirement accounts.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Cimarron County

via CrimeByCounty

Exceptional safety levels in Cimarron County

Cimarron County is one of the safest areas in the region, boasting a safety score of 97.6. The total crime rate of 1,540.5 per 100,000 is 35% lower than the national average of 2,385.5.

Beating Oklahoma state crime averages

The county's total crime rate of 1,540.5 is far below the Oklahoma state average of 2,647.7. Only two reporting agencies are needed to cover this vast but sparsely populated and secure county.

Lower crime than most Oklahoma peers

Cimarron County is significantly safer than Carter County, where the crime rate is 2,719.8. This low volume of crime reflects the quiet, rural nature of the Oklahoma Panhandle.

Property and violent crime stay low

Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,320.4, which is much lower than the national average of 2,015.7. Violent crime is also kept in check at 220.1 per 100,000, well below the national rate of 369.8.

Smart security for Panhandle residents

In a county with such low crime, maintaining visibility and good relations with neighbors is highly effective. Simple security measures like perimeter fencing and motion lighting help keep the area's safety score high.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Cimarron County

via WeatherByCounty

High plains and cool extremes

Cimarron County averages 56.2°F annually, which is much closer to the national median than the rest of Oklahoma. Located in the far tip of the Panhandle, its climate is semi-arid and continental.

Oklahoma's coolest and driest corner

At 56.2°F, this is the coldest county in Oklahoma, sitting 4.2 degrees below the state average. It is also the driest, receiving only 17.0 inches of rain compared to the 37.2-inch state average.

Isolated in the high desert

Cimarron stands alone in Oklahoma for its low humidity and high elevation. It experiences much more drastic temperature swings than central or eastern Oklahoma counties.

Snowy winters and sharp heat

The county averages a staggering 26.6 inches of snow, the highest in the state. Despite cool 36.8°F winters, summers still bring 72 days above 90°F due to the intense high-altitude sun.

Prepare for snow and swings

Residents must own reliable snow removal equipment to handle the 2-foot annual snowfall. Xeriscaping is recommended for landscaping due to the extremely low 17 inches of annual precipitation.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Cimarron County

via SoilByCounty

Alkaline soils in the high plains

Cimarron County stands out with an average pH of 6.84, which is significantly more alkaline than the state average of 6.06. This pH is even higher than the national median of 6.5, reflecting the arid conditions of the Oklahoma Panhandle. The soil score of 29.2 is lower than the state average, pointing to the environmental challenges of the region.

Sandy soils with variable texture

The soil is dominated by 46.9% sand, with only 17.6% clay and 24.4% silt. This high sand content leads to a loose, well-aerated texture that is easy to work but susceptible to wind erosion. The 'variable' dominant texture classification reflects the diverse landscape of the High Plains.

Low organic matter and water capacity

Organic matter is just 1.05%, which is much lower than the national 2.0% average and the 1.72% state average. Available water capacity is also low at 0.125 in/in, meaning the soil does not hold onto moisture for long. Frequent irrigation or specialized dryland farming techniques are required to sustain crops here.

Slow infiltration in an arid climate

Despite the sandy texture, the soil is categorized in Hydrologic Group D, indicating slow infiltration during saturated conditions. In this arid climate, when rain does fall, it often comes in heavy bursts that the soil cannot immediately absorb. This leads to runoff and potential erosion of the valuable topsoil.

Hardy gardening in zone 6b

The 6b hardiness zone means shorter growing seasons and colder winters than the rest of the state. Gardeners should focus on drought-tolerant species and plants that can handle alkaline soils, such as lavender or certain native grasses. Windbreaks and mulching are essential strategies to protect your garden in this rugged environment.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Cimarron County

via LawnByCounty

Panhandle Resilience in Cimarron County

Cimarron County defies the state trend with a lawn difficulty score of 50.1, matching the national median perfectly. Located in the cooler Hardiness Zone 6b, it experiences a different set of challenges than the rest of Oklahoma. While it is easier than many neighbors, the arid climate requires a specific approach to high-plains landscaping.

Low Precipitation Defines the Arid Panhandle

Cimarron County is significantly drier than the rest of the state, receiving only 17.0 inches of rain annually compared to the 37.2-inch average. With 72 days of extreme heat and 3,983 growing degree days, the environment is harsh but manageable. The shorter growing season is framed by a late spring frost on April 26 and an early fall frost on October 20.

Alkaline-Leaning Soil with High Sand Content

The soil pH is 6.84, which is very close to the neutral 7.0 mark and ideal for many grasses. The high sand content of 46.9% ensures excellent drainage, though it means nutrients and water can leach away quickly. Lawns here benefit from top-dressing with compost to help the 17.6% clay hold onto much-needed moisture.

Managing Dryness Without Severe Drought

Though 100% of the county is abnormally dry, it currently reports 0.0% severe drought, a rarity in Oklahoma. Cimarron has seen only 14 weeks of drought in the last year, the lowest of the surveyed counties. Because rainfall is naturally low, choosing drought-native grasses is the most sustainable way to keep a yard green.

High-Plains Natives are the Best Bet

In Zone 6b, Buffalo grass and Blue Grama are the champions of the landscape because they require very little supplemental water. Wait until the threat of frost passes in late April to begin your planting projects. These hardy varieties will thrive in the sandy soil and stand up to the Panhandle's 72 heat days.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Cimarron County's county score?
Cimarron County, Oklahoma has a composite county score of 54.3 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Cimarron County rank among counties in Oklahoma?
Cimarron County ranks #8 among all counties in Oklahoma on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Cimarron County, Oklahoma?
The median annual property tax in Cimarron County is $395, with an effective tax rate of 0.40%. This earns Cimarron County a tax score of 93.3/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Cimarron County?
The median household income in Cimarron County, Oklahoma is $62,188 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Cimarron County earns an income score of 40.2/100 on CountyScore.
Is Cimarron County, Oklahoma a good place to live?
Cimarron County scores 54.3/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #8 in Oklahoma. The best way to evaluate Cimarron County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Cimarron County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.