Coal County scores 69.7, nearly 40% above the national median of 50.0. The county ranks solidly in the top tier nationally for overall quality of life and livability.
2 / 5
Slightly Above Oklahoma Average
At 69.7, Coal County tops Oklahoma's state average of 68.4, placing it among the state's better-performing counties. The county demonstrates solid competitive positioning statewide.
3 / 5
Exceptional Affordability and Low Taxes
Coal County offers an effective tax rate of 0.584%, cost score of 88.3, and median home value of just $92,500 with rent at $679/month. These combine to deliver excellent affordability and economic efficiency.
4 / 5
Weak Income and Health Outcomes
The income score of 14.8 reflects a median household income of $48,162—the second-lowest among these counties. Health outcomes lag significantly at 47.7, suggesting limited medical infrastructure or workforce challenges.
5 / 5
Solid Pick for Affordable, Modest Living
Coal County appeals to cost-conscious residents and retirees seeking maximum affordability and low tax burdens. It requires acceptance of modest incomes and limited health services but excels for those with income from other sources.
Coal County scores 69.7, nearly 40% above the national median of 50.0. The county ranks solidly in the top tier nationally for overall quality of life and livability.
Slightly Above Oklahoma Average
At 69.7, Coal County tops Oklahoma's state average of 68.4, placing it among the state's better-performing counties. The county demonstrates solid competitive positioning statewide.
Exceptional Affordability and Low Taxes
Coal County offers an effective tax rate of 0.584%, cost score of 88.3, and median home value of just $92,500 with rent at $679/month. These combine to deliver excellent affordability and economic efficiency.
Weak Income and Health Outcomes
The income score of 14.8 reflects a median household income of $48,162—the second-lowest among these counties. Health outcomes lag significantly at 47.7, suggesting limited medical infrastructure or workforce challenges.
Solid Pick for Affordable, Modest Living
Coal County appeals to cost-conscious residents and retirees seeking maximum affordability and low tax burdens. It requires acceptance of modest incomes and limited health services but excels for those with income from other sources.
Score breakdown
5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.
🏛85.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Coal County's effective tax rate of 0.584% falls slightly below the national median of 0.652%, positioning it in the lower half of U.S. counties. Homeowners pay just $540 annually on a median home of $92,500—a fraction of the national median tax of $2,690.
Coal County ranks in lower tier statewide
With an effective rate of 0.584%, Coal County sits in the lower quartile of Oklahoma's 77 counties, below the state average of 0.652%. This favorable position reflects modest county service demands and balanced assessments.
Moderate taxes among regional peers
Coal County's 0.584% rate sits between Cherokee County's lower 0.565% and Carter County's higher 0.772%. In the regional landscape, Coal offers competitive tax treatment that favors property owners.
Budget $540 for annual taxes
Coal County homeowners pay approximately $540 per year on a median home value of $92,500. With a mortgage, taxes rise to $752 due to escrow; without, expect $415.
Review your assessment for savings
Even in lower-tax counties, assessment errors are common—roughly one in five nationwide are overstated. A simple appeal could confirm your home's fair value or unlock meaningful savings on an already modest tax bill.
At 16.9%, Coal County's rent-to-income ratio sits comfortably below the national affordability threshold and ranks among the strongest in this county set. The median household income of $48,162 is lean by national standards, yet modest rents of $679 keep housing costs reasonable.
Better than average across Oklahoma
Coal County's 16.9% rent-to-income ratio beats Oklahoma's 17.0% state average by a narrow margin, placing it in the more affordable tier of counties. Median rent of $679 runs significantly below the state median of $814.
Among Oklahoma's most affordable options
Coal County's $679 median rent ranks among the lowest in this regional cluster, beaten only by Cimarron ($682) and Choctaw ($676) counties. Its 16.9% affordability ratio ties it with Choctaw as one of the two best deals for renters.
Homeownership significantly cheaper than renting
Renters pay $679 monthly while homeowners carry just $527 mortgages on homes valued at $92,500—an unusual gap favoring ownership in this lower-cost market. Housing consumes roughly 17% of the $48,162 median income for renters, about 13% for homeowners.
Coal County: affordable and balanced value
Relocating here offers strong rental affordability without the rock-bottom incomes of neighboring counties, making it a balanced choice for budget-conscious movers. Consider this option alongside Cimarron and Choctaw if maximum savings matter, or if you prefer modest income levels over a job-search challenge.
Coal County's median household income of $48,162 trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by $26,593, representing a 36% shortfall. This places the county among the lowest-earning regions in America.
Second-lowest income in Oklahoma
Coal County's median household income of $48,162 ranks second-lowest among Oklahoma's 77 counties, running 17% below the state average of $58,273. Per capita income of $27,073 similarly trails the state average of $30,609 by 11%.
Among the poorest in region
Coal County's $48,162 income exceeds only Choctaw County ($45,456) in its peer group, falling well below Cherokee ($53,668) and Carter County ($58,856). The county faces severe economic headwinds.
Low housing costs offset limited wages
Coal County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.9% provides surprising affordability, the best in its peer group, helping households stretch limited incomes. Median home value of $92,500 ranks among the lowest in the region, making homeownership feasible.
Leverage low costs for financial stability
Coal County's exceptionally affordable housing creates an opportunity to build savings despite modest incomes—prioritize an emergency fund covering three months of expenses. Even $20 monthly savings compounds meaningfully over decades.
Life expectancy of 70.0 years trails the U.S. average by 2.5 years and Oklahoma's average by 2.7 years, placing Coal among the nation's lowest. At 27.2%, the poor/fair health rate is nearly 6 points above the national average, signaling pervasive chronic disease and disability.
Among Oklahoma's most challenged counties
Coal County ranks second-worst among all analyzed counties for life expectancy and has the highest poor/fair health rate statewide at 27.2%. These metrics indicate a population experiencing severe health burdens requiring urgent intervention.
Worst outcomes across all health measures
Coal County's 70.0-year life expectancy and 27.2% poor/fair health rate are substantially worse than all peer counties, including struggling Choctaw (68.3 years and 25.8% poor/fair). The 19.2% uninsured rate is the highest in the dataset, creating a compounding barrier to care.
Severe provider shortages and insurance barriers
Coal County has critically low primary care capacity at just 19 providers per 100K—the lowest among analyzed counties—forcing residents to travel for basic care. Combined with the state's highest uninsured rate at 19.2%, residents face dual barriers to healthcare access.
Coverage is critical—act now
Coal County faces the steepest health challenges in Oklahoma, with provider shortages and the state's highest uninsured rate. If you're among the 19.2% without insurance, enroll immediately at healthcare.gov to access the care available and improve your health outcomes.
Coal County's composite risk score of 32.41 places it in the very low category, performing far better than the U.S. median for natural disaster exposure. The county enjoys one of the lowest overall risk profiles in the nation.
Oklahoma's safest county by far
Coal County ranks lowest among Oklahoma's 77 counties for natural disaster risk with a score of 32.41, dramatically below the state average of 55.47. No other Oklahoma county comes close to this level of protection from natural hazards.
Far safer than all regional peers
Coal County's score of 32.41 is substantially lower than any neighboring county, including Choctaw (49.90) and Cimarron (47.33). This represents a genuinely exceptional safety advantage within southeastern Oklahoma.
Wildfire is only significant hazard
Wildfire risk reaches 86.83 in Coal County, making it the sole natural hazard of concern in an otherwise exceptionally safe county. Tornado, flood, and earthquake risks all remain negligible at 52.51, 12.12, and 31.62 respectively.
Wildfire coverage completes basic protection
Standard homeowner's insurance with wildfire coverage is adequate for Coal County's minimal risk environment. Maintain defensible space around your property during wildfire season, but flood and earthquake insurance are not necessary precautions here.