Custer County's composite score of 67.7 exceeds the national median of 50.0, ranking near the 68th percentile nationally. This places the county solidly in the upper tier of U.S. livability, ahead of the majority of comparable regions.
2 / 5
Essentially in line with Oklahoma
Custer County's score of 67.7 sits just below Oklahoma's state average of 68.4, making it virtually representative of the state's median livability. The county is a fair reflection of overall Oklahoma conditions.
3 / 5
Balanced affordability and health
Custer County delivers consistent strength across tax (83.2), cost (81.2), and health (59.8), with affordable housing at a median value of $177,000 and low rents at $779 per month. These dimensions create a solid foundation for families seeking both access and stability.
4 / 5
Income and risk need development
Income (21.0) and risk (38.0) lag behind the county's cost and tax advantages, indicating limited wage growth and moderate economic concerns. Schools, safety, and water quality data remain unavailable for fuller context.
5 / 5
Ideal for budget-minded families
Custer County suits families and retirees who prioritize low cost of living and reasonable health services over income maximization. It's a practical choice for those managing household budgets carefully while maintaining community engagement.
Custer County's composite score of 67.7 exceeds the national median of 50.0, ranking near the 68th percentile nationally. This places the county solidly in the upper tier of U.S. livability, ahead of the majority of comparable regions.
Essentially in line with Oklahoma
Custer County's score of 67.7 sits just below Oklahoma's state average of 68.4, making it virtually representative of the state's median livability. The county is a fair reflection of overall Oklahoma conditions.
Balanced affordability and health
Custer County delivers consistent strength across tax (83.2), cost (81.2), and health (59.8), with affordable housing at a median value of $177,000 and low rents at $779 per month. These dimensions create a solid foundation for families seeking both access and stability.
Income and risk need development
Income (21.0) and risk (38.0) lag behind the county's cost and tax advantages, indicating limited wage growth and moderate economic concerns. Schools, safety, and water quality data remain unavailable for fuller context.
Ideal for budget-minded families
Custer County suits families and retirees who prioritize low cost of living and reasonable health services over income maximization. It's a practical choice for those managing household budgets carefully while maintaining community engagement.
Score breakdown
5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.
🏛83.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Custer County's effective rate of 0.676% sits just below the national median of 0.73%, placing it squarely in the middle of U.S. counties. The median property tax of $1,197 remains 56% lower than the national median of $2,690.
Mid-range taxes for Oklahoma
Custer County's 0.676% rate is 4% above Oklahoma's state average of 0.652%, reflecting slightly higher local taxing needs. The median tax of $1,197 is 25% above the state median of $959.
Moderate among surrounding counties
Custer County's 0.676% rate sits between Creek County (0.738%) to the east and Garfield County (0.888%) to the northwest. It offers a middle ground in local property tax burdens across the central region.
Median home costs $1,197 per year
A homeowner with the median-valued property of $177,000 pays approximately $1,197 annually in property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages can expect that bill to reach $1,475 with additional assessments.
Request a reassessment to lower taxes
Custer County homeowners should verify their assessments match current market conditions. An appeal to the assessor's office is free and can result in substantial savings if your property is overvalued.
At 16.2%, Custer County's rent-to-income ratio sits comfortably below national affordability stress thresholds, indicating healthy rents relative to earnings. Residents earning $57,562 median income pay $779 monthly in rent—a manageable burden in the national context.
Better than Oklahoma's average rents
Custer County's 16.2% rent-to-income ratio beats Oklahoma's state average of 17.0%, making it a relatively affordable rental market within the state. This modest advantage, combined with below-state-average rents, positions Custer County favorably for renters statewide.
Moderate costs, higher ownership prices
Custer County's $779 rent is mid-range among these eight counties, but its median home value of $177,000 ranks among the highest, suggesting a market tilted toward homeowners. Renters here enjoy lower relative costs while buyers face steeper entry prices compared to counties like Cotton or Ellis.
Ownership costs exceed rental burdens
Custer County renters spend 16.2% of their $57,562 income on rent, while homeowners commit 18.2% to monthly costs of $874. The reversal—where ownership costs outpace rental burdens—reflects the county's elevated home values and suggests renting may be the more affordable option for newcomers.
Custer County: Rent before you buy
If relocating to Custer County, test the market by renting first; at $779 monthly, rental affordability exceeds homeownership costs despite the county's $177,000 median home value. This dynamic is ideal for job seekers exploring the area before committing to a purchase.
Custer County's median household income of $57,562 trails the national median of $74,755 by approximately $17,200, or 23%. This gap is typical for agricultural and rural Oklahoma counties.
Close to Oklahoma's state average
Custer County's median income of $57,562 falls just below Oklahoma's state average of $58,273 by about $700. The county ranks near the middle of Oklahoma's economic distribution.
Middle income in the regional mix
Custer County's $57,562 sits between lower-earning Craig County ($50,182) and higher-earning Creek County ($61,849). The county represents a moderate income profile for rural northwestern Oklahoma.
Reasonable housing affordability
At 16.2% of household income, rent costs here are manageable and well below the 30% affordability benchmark. Median home values of $177,000 are accessible for residents earning $57,562 with conventional financing.
Maximize savings potential in Custer County
Custer County households benefit from modest housing burden and should prioritize emergency funds and retirement accounts. Per capita income of $31,487 suggests room for regular investment contributions to build long-term financial stability.
Custer County Approaches National Health Benchmarks
Custer County's life expectancy of 72.8 years sits 3.2 years below the U.S. average of 76, but its 20.3% poor/fair health rate is slightly above the national benchmark of 18%. The county demonstrates relatively stable health outcomes compared to national standards.
Above Average for Oklahoma
Custer County's 72.8-year life expectancy exceeds Oklahoma's state average of 72.7 years, placing it among the state's better-performing counties. At 20.3%, its poor/fair health rate sits below state norms, indicating better-than-average population health for Oklahoma.
Custer Leads Regional Health Performance
Custer County's 72.8-year life expectancy ties the region's best, and its 20.3% poor/fair health rate is among the lowest in comparable Oklahoma counties. Only Ellis County (19.5%) reports better perceived health outcomes.
Strong Provider Infrastructure
Custer County boasts 53 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—among Oklahoma's highest—and 619 mental health providers per 100,000, indicating robust healthcare infrastructure. Yet 15.3% of residents remain uninsured, matching the state average and limiting access for some.
Ensure Coverage for Your Family
Custer County's strong healthcare network means high-quality care is available, but uninsured residents cannot access it. If you're among the uninsured, visit HealthCare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to explore Medicaid, marketplace plans, or community health services.
Custer County's composite risk score of 62.02 and "Relatively Low" rating place it moderately above the national average for natural disaster exposure. While your county faces elevated threats compared to the typical American county, the "Relatively Low" designation indicates manageable risk for most residents. The county presents above-average but not extreme disaster vulnerability.
Above-average risk within Oklahoma
Custer County's 62.02 composite score runs above Oklahoma's state average of 55.47, ranking it in the upper-middle tier of the state's 77 counties. You face more hazard exposure than most Oklahomans but less than the state's highest-risk counties. This moderate elevation reflects significant but not extreme vulnerability within the Oklahoma context.
Higher risk than Craig and Cotton, lower than Creek
Custer County (62.02) exceeds the risk profiles of nearby Craig County (55.50) and Cotton County (4.90), but falls below Creek County (83.24) and Delaware County (82.67). Among this regional cluster, Custer occupies a middle-upper position. The variation across neighboring counties highlights Custer's moderate-to-elevated standing within the area.
Tornadoes and wildfires are primary threats
Tornado risk (91.32) dominates Custer County's hazard profile, followed by wildfire risk (76.81)—both substantially elevated threats. Earthquake risk (53.24) and hurricane risk (23.86) are secondary concerns, while flood risk (38.71) remains the lowest exposure. The tornado-wildfire combination accounts for most of Custer's above-average composite score.
Tornado and wildfire coverage essential here
Custer County homeowners should prioritize standard insurance coverage for tornado damage and secure separate wildfire protection for their properties. Developing a family tornado safety plan—including a designated shelter area and communication strategy—can save lives during severe weather. Many insurers offer discounts for storm-resistant roof upgrades, making protection upgrades financially sensible.