Ellis County's composite score of 72.6 exceeds the national median of 50.0, ranking it near the 73rd percentile nationally. This solid performance places the county in the upper tier of U.S. livability, ahead of the vast majority.
2 / 5
Among Oklahoma's best
Ellis County scores 72.6, topping Oklahoma's state average of 68.4 by more than 4 points. It ranks among the state's top-performing counties for livability.
3 / 5
The most affordable housing in the group
Ellis County boasts the highest cost score at 87.5 and the lowest median rent at $728 per month, making it the most affordable county here. It also delivers solid health (60.7) and risk (75.2) scores, creating a well-rounded foundation for homebuyers.
4 / 5
Income opportunities lag
Income (20.6) is Ellis County's softest dimension, indicating limited wage growth and career advancement potential. Tax burden (81.2), while acceptable, is the lowest of its strength scores. Schools, safety, and water data remain unavailable.
5 / 5
Best for renters and budget buyers
Ellis County suits families and individuals prioritizing the lowest possible housing costs and decent health infrastructure over career growth. This county works well for renters, first-time homebuyers, and retirees stretching limited incomes.
Ellis County's composite score of 72.6 exceeds the national median of 50.0, ranking it near the 73rd percentile nationally. This solid performance places the county in the upper tier of U.S. livability, ahead of the vast majority.
Among Oklahoma's best
Ellis County scores 72.6, topping Oklahoma's state average of 68.4 by more than 4 points. It ranks among the state's top-performing counties for livability.
The most affordable housing in the group
Ellis County boasts the highest cost score at 87.5 and the lowest median rent at $728 per month, making it the most affordable county here. It also delivers solid health (60.7) and risk (75.2) scores, creating a well-rounded foundation for homebuyers.
Income opportunities lag
Income (20.6) is Ellis County's softest dimension, indicating limited wage growth and career advancement potential. Tax burden (81.2), while acceptable, is the lowest of its strength scores. Schools, safety, and water data remain unavailable.
Best for renters and budget buyers
Ellis County suits families and individuals prioritizing the lowest possible housing costs and decent health infrastructure over career growth. This county works well for renters, first-time homebuyers, and retirees stretching limited incomes.
Score breakdown
5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.
🏛81.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Ellis County's effective rate of 0.748% exceeds the national median of 0.73%, placing it in the upper-middle range of U.S. counties. The median property tax of $916 is still 66% lower than the national median of $2,690, reflecting Oklahoma's generally lower home values.
Second-highest tax rate in Oklahoma
Ellis County's 0.748% rate is the second-highest among Oklahoma counties, 15% above the state average of 0.652%. The median tax of $916 is only 5% below the state median of $959, a notable outlier in the state.
Highest taxes in the panhandle region
Ellis County's 0.748% rate significantly exceeds neighboring Garfield County (0.888%) to the east, making it the highest-taxing county in the immediate area. Only Garfield surpasses it regionally.
Median home costs $916 per year
A homeowner with the median-valued property of $122,500 pays approximately $916 annually in property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages face bills of $1,135 once mortgage-related assessments apply.
Review your assessment for accuracy
Ellis County's high effective rate means overassessments have outsized impact. File an appeal with your assessor if you believe your home's taxable value exceeds its fair market value.
Ellis County's 15.3% rent-to-income ratio sits well below national affordability concerns, signaling exceptional rental value for residents. With a median income of $56,992 and median rent of just $728 monthly, renters here enjoy sustainable housing costs comparable to the nation's most affordable regions.
Second-best affordability in Oklahoma
Ellis County ranks among Oklahoma's most affordable counties for renters, with a 15.3% rent-to-income ratio that beats the state average of 17.0% by more than one percentage point. Only a handful of Oklahoma counties match this level of rental accessibility.
The affordable sweet spot of the panhandle
Ellis County's $728 median rent is the second-lowest among these eight counties and ties with Cotton County ($742) for lowest rents, while maintaining strong affordability at 15.3%. Combined with a median home value of just $122,500, Ellis County offers exceptional value across both rental and ownership markets.
Homeowners enjoy rare affordability edge
Ellis County renters commit 15.3% of their $56,992 income to median rent of $728, while homeowners dedicate just 10.9% to monthly costs of $520. This exceptionally low owner burden—among the lowest nationally—makes homeownership accessible to workers at multiple income levels.
Ellis County welcomes cost-conscious relocators
Ellis County delivers the rare combination of low rents ($728), affordable ownership ($520/month), and modest home values ($122,500), making it ideal for any worker prioritizing cost of living. Whether renting or buying, housing will consume less of your paycheck here than almost anywhere in Oklahoma.
Ellis County's median household income of $56,992 falls approximately $17,700 short of the national median of $74,755, representing a 24% gap. This income shortfall is typical for rural panhandle counties.
Slightly below Oklahoma average
Ellis County's median income of $56,992 trails Oklahoma's state average of $58,273 by roughly $1,300 per household. The county ranks in the lower-middle portion of state counties for earnings.
Mixed performance versus peer counties
Ellis County's $56,992 median income ranks above Craig County and Delaware County but below Cotton County, Dewey County, Creek County, and Garfield County. Economic diversity and employment opportunities vary across the region.
Affordable housing supports households
Ellis County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.3% is among the lowest in this peer group, well below the 30% affordability benchmark. Median home values of $122,500 are very accessible for households earning $56,992.
Strong housing affordability enables savings
Ellis County's low housing burden—just 15.3% of income—creates genuine room for emergency funds and retirement investing. Per capita income of $31,354 combined with modest housing costs positions households to build wealth systematically.
Ellis County's life expectancy of 72.8 years trails the U.S. average of 76 by just 3.2 years, and its 19.5% poor/fair health rate—the lowest among comparable counties—sits just above the national average of 18%. The county demonstrates strong population health outcomes.
Exceeds State Health Averages
Ellis County's 72.8-year life expectancy exceeds Oklahoma's state average of 72.7 years, and its 19.5% poor/fair health rate sits well below state norms. The county ranks among Oklahoma's top performers in both metrics.
Ellis County's Best-in-Region Health
Ellis County's 19.5% poor/fair health rate is the lowest among all comparable counties, while its 72.8-year life expectancy ties the best performers. The county consistently outperforms its neighbors in both life expectancy and self-reported health.
Excellent Provider Access, Strong Coverage
Ellis County offers 53 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—among Oklahoma's highest—ensuring strong frontline healthcare access. The county's 15.0% uninsured rate is slightly below state average, though mental health provider data is unavailable.
Keep Coverage Strong
Ellis County's strong health outcomes reflect good insurance access, yet 1 in 7 residents still lack coverage. If you're uninsured, visit Healthcare.gov or contact a local provider to explore Medicaid, marketplace plans, or community health services.
Ellis County's risk ranks far below national average
Ellis County's composite risk score of 24.78 and "Very Low" rating place it well below the national average for natural disaster exposure. Your county faces substantially less combined hazard threat than the typical U.S. county. This low score reflects relative safety across most major disaster types.
Among Oklahoma's safest counties
Ellis County's 24.78 composite score ranks it among the lowest-risk counties in Oklahoma, falling well below the state average of 55.47. Only Cotton County (4.90) and Dewey County (15.65) achieve lower risk ratings within the state. Ellis County sits in Oklahoma's safest tier.
Notably safer than surrounding region
Ellis County's 24.78 score significantly undercuts Custer County (62.02), Garfield County (82.09), and other nearby counties that face substantially higher composite risks. Among its immediate region, Ellis stands out as a relative refuge of disaster safety. This geographic distinction highlights Ellis County's relative protection.
Wildfire is the main concern; others are minor
Wildfire risk (85.18) is Ellis County's only substantially elevated hazard, though tornado risk (38.17) and hurricane risk (24.99) remain secondary. Earthquake risk (22.61) and flood risk (7.00) pose minimal threats. Wildfire represents Ellis County's primary preparedness priority.
Add wildfire coverage; standard insurance usually adequate
Ellis County homeowners should confirm their standard insurance is current and consider supplementing it with wildfire coverage for your county's primary hazard. Trimming trees, clearing dead vegetation, and maintaining defensible space around your home provide practical, low-cost wildfire protection. Most residents will find that basic preparation combined with adequate insurance provides solid protection for Ellis County's relatively low-risk profile.