Cleveland County

Oklahoma · OK

#75 in Oklahoma
62.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Cleveland County, Oklahoma

Above-Average Livability Nationally

Cleveland County scores 62.2, outperforming the national median of 50.0 by a solid 24%. The county ranks in the upper-middle tier nationally for overall livability.

Below Oklahoma Average but Competitive

Cleveland County's 62.2 score sits slightly below Oklahoma's 68.4 state average, positioning it in the lower-middle tier statewide. It remains a credible livability option despite trailing some peer counties.

Highest Incomes and Strong Health

Cleveland County leads these eight counties with the highest median household income at $74,446 and the strongest income score of 32.0. Health outcomes (69.6) also rank among the best, supporting a robust quality of life.

Higher Costs and Environmental Risk

The county carries the highest effective tax rate (1.027%) and moderate housing costs (median home value $222,800) among these counties. Environmental risk scores lowest at 8.7, a notable concern.

Best for Income-Focused Professionals

Cleveland County suits working professionals and families earning solid incomes who value health services and economic opportunity over maximum affordability. It's the county for those willing to pay premium costs for higher-income potential.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax73.4Cost69.2SafetyComing SoonHealth69.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome32Risk8.7WaterComing Soon
🏛73.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠69.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼32
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
69.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
8.7
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Cleveland County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Cleveland County

via TaxByCounty

Cleveland County taxes exceed national average

Cleveland County's effective tax rate of 1.027% significantly exceeds the national median of 0.652%, placing it in the upper fifth of U.S. counties. Homeowners pay $2,288 annually on a median home of $222,800—close to the national median tax despite a lower home value.

Oklahoma's highest property taxes

Cleveland County leads all 77 Oklahoma counties with an effective tax rate of 1.027%, far above the state average of 0.652%. This 0.375-point gap reflects the county's substantial investment in schools, infrastructure, and services.

Taxes tower above surrounding counties

Cleveland County's 1.027% rate substantially exceeds Canadian County (0.981%), Comanche County (0.898%), and Cherokee County (0.565%). Homeowners moving into the region should expect significantly higher tax bills than nearby alternatives.

Expect $2,288 in annual taxes

On Cleveland County's median home value of $222,800, property taxes total approximately $2,288 per year. With a mortgage, add escrow adjustments to reach $2,393; without, expect closer to $2,072.

High-tax counties warrant assessment appeals

In high-tax counties like Cleveland, incorrect assessments significantly impact household budgets, making appeals especially valuable. Review your assessed value against comparable sales in your neighborhood—if it's overvalued, an appeal costs nothing and could save hundreds annually.

Cost of Living in Cleveland County

via CostByCounty

Cleveland County rents squeeze near the threshold

At 18.2%, Cleveland County's rent-to-income ratio exceeds comfortable national standards, placing renters slightly above the federal affordability sweet spot. However, the county's median household income of $74,446 nearly matches the national median of $74,755, providing reasonable support for higher housing costs.

Above-average Oklahoma housing costs

Cleveland County's 18.2% rent-to-income ratio runs above Oklahoma's 17.0% state average, and its $1,128 median rent significantly exceeds the state median of $814. The county's stronger income base helps offset these higher costs.

Second-highest rents in this regional cluster

Cleveland County's $1,128 median rent trails only Canadian County's $1,208 among these eight counties, reflecting its status as a more developed, higher-income area. Renters here pay a premium for proximity to economic opportunity.

Housing costs rise but income supports them

Renters spend $1,128 monthly while homeowners carry $1,228 mortgages on $222,800 median-valued homes—the county's most expensive housing. At 18.2% for renters and roughly 20% for homeowners, these costs consume notable income shares but remain within acceptable ranges given the $74,446 median household income.

Cleveland County for growth-focused relocators

This county offers national-level income potential with housing costs that require serious budgeting but remain manageable for dual-income households. Compare it against more affordable rural counties if maximum housing savings matter, or against Canadian County if you prioritize slightly higher income with similar affordability.

Income & Jobs in Cleveland County

via IncomeByCounty

Cleveland County matches national income levels

Cleveland County's median household income of $74,446 sits just $309 below the U.S. median of $74,755, essentially matching national income levels. This places the county squarely at the national average, reflecting an urban-influenced economy.

Second-highest income in Oklahoma

Cleveland County's median household income of $74,446 ranks second in Oklahoma, running 28% above the state average of $58,273. Per capita income of $38,544 exceeds the state average of $30,609 by 26%.

Clear leader among regional counties

Cleveland County's $74,446 income significantly exceeds nearby Comanche County ($59,000) by $15,446 and towers over Cherokee County ($53,668) by $20,778. Only Canadian County matches this prosperity level in the region.

Strong income supports solid lifestyle

Cleveland County's rent-to-income ratio of 18.2% remains well below affordability thresholds, providing flexibility in housing choices. Median home value of $222,800 is accessible for dual-income households at county income levels.

Build long-term wealth aggressively

Cleveland County's national-level incomes provide a strong foundation for wealth-building through 401(k) contributions, IRAs, and investment accounts. With housing costs manageable, households should target aggressive savings rates of 10-15% of income.

Health in Cleveland County

via HealthByCounty

Cleveland County leads Oklahoma in longevity

Life expectancy of 77.6 years exceeds the U.S. average by 5.1 years and Oklahoma's average by 4.9 years, making Cleveland one of America's healthier counties. Only 17.5% report poor or fair health, below the national average and indicating strong overall wellness.

Oklahoma's top-tier health performer

Cleveland County ranks at the very top of Oklahoma counties for life expectancy, trailing only Canadian County by 0.1 years. The county consistently exceeds state benchmarks across health metrics, positioning it as a model for statewide health outcomes.

Second-best health outcomes in the state

Cleveland County's 77.6-year life expectancy ranks second only to Canadian (77.7) and substantially ahead of Comanche (73.2) and other peers. At 11.6%, the uninsured rate is among the lowest, ensuring broad healthcare access across the population.

Balanced care access with room to grow

Cleveland County offers 51 primary care and 366 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, providing solid healthcare infrastructure. The 11.6% uninsured rate—among the state's lowest—means most residents can access these providers when needed.

Complete Cleveland County's health story

With an already-strong health profile and high insurance rates, Cleveland County should ensure its remaining 11.6% uninsured residents enroll at healthcare.gov to close the final gap in universal coverage.

Disaster Risk in Cleveland County

via RiskByCounty

Cleveland County faces substantial national risk

Cleveland County's composite risk score of 91.28 places it in the relatively moderate category, substantially exceeding the national average. The county's multi-hazard exposure is among the highest in the United States.

Oklahoma's highest-risk county

Cleveland County ranks at the very top of Oklahoma's 77 counties for natural disaster risk, with a score of 91.28 far exceeding the state average of 55.47. Residents face the state's most comprehensive hazard exposure.

Significantly riskier than regional peers

Cleveland County's score of 91.28 exceeds Canadian County (83.49) and Comanche County (86.23), making it the most vulnerable county in south-central Oklahoma. The county's position as Oklahoma's top-risk area is striking within any regional comparison.

Tornadoes, earthquakes, and floods converge

Tornado risk reaches 96.31 in Cleveland County—among the nation's highest—while earthquake risk scores 86.26 and flood risk 88.17, creating a triple-threat environment. This convergence of major hazards makes Cleveland County exceptionally vulnerable.

Comprehensive coverage is non-negotiable

Homeowner's insurance covering tornado damage is essential, and flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program is strongly recommended given the county's 88.17 flood score. Consider earthquake coverage as well, given Cleveland County's rare combination of all four major hazards.

ByCounty Network

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