Grant County's composite score of 73.4 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 23 percentile points, placing it among the top quarter of all U.S. counties. The county demonstrates balanced, strong performance across its measured dimensions.
2 / 5
Leads Oregon's county rankings
With a score of 73.4, Grant ranks above Oregon's state average of 66.6 by more than 6 points, securing a top-tier position among Oregon counties. The county stands out as a rural high-performer in eastern Oregon.
3 / 5
Housing affordability is exceptional
Grant excels with a cost score of 82.1, the highest among the eight counties, supported by the lowest median home value at $225,100 and the lowest rent at $840/month. A tax score of 80.9 adds significant fiscal advantage for residents.
4 / 5
Income opportunities remain limited
The income score of 22.4 reflects a median household income of $59,800, indicating limited high-paying employment. This remains the primary constraint on the county's overall livability profile despite strong affordability metrics.
5 / 5
Ideal for frugal families and retirees
Grant County appeals strongly to retirees, remote workers, and families prioritizing maximum affordability with solid health services and minimal tax burden. It's the top choice for those seeking rural stability without concern for wage-driven income growth.
Grant County's composite score of 73.4 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 23 percentile points, placing it among the top quarter of all U.S. counties. The county demonstrates balanced, strong performance across its measured dimensions.
Leads Oregon's county rankings
With a score of 73.4, Grant ranks above Oregon's state average of 66.6 by more than 6 points, securing a top-tier position among Oregon counties. The county stands out as a rural high-performer in eastern Oregon.
Housing affordability is exceptional
Grant excels with a cost score of 82.1, the highest among the eight counties, supported by the lowest median home value at $225,100 and the lowest rent at $840/month. A tax score of 80.9 adds significant fiscal advantage for residents.
Income opportunities remain limited
The income score of 22.4 reflects a median household income of $59,800, indicating limited high-paying employment. This remains the primary constraint on the county's overall livability profile despite strong affordability metrics.
Ideal for frugal families and retirees
Grant County appeals strongly to retirees, remote workers, and families prioritizing maximum affordability with solid health services and minimal tax burden. It's the top choice for those seeking rural stability without concern for wage-driven income growth.
Score breakdown
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🏛80.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Grant County's effective tax rate of 0.761% sits just above the national median of 0.720%, placing it solidly in the middle range of U.S. counties. The median tax bill of $1,713 runs 36% below the national median of $2,690, reflecting Grant's smaller median home value of $225,100.
Slightly above Oregon average
Grant ranks 19th among Oregon's 36 counties at an effective rate of 0.761%, just slightly above the state average of 0.775%. Its median property tax of $1,713 falls nearly 40% below Oregon's state median of $2,745.
Moderate taxes for eastern Oregon
Grant County's 0.761% rate sits comfortably between Harney County (0.968%) and the more affordable Douglas County (0.660%). Among the remote eastern counties, Grant offers reasonable property tax terms.
What $225,100 homes cost to own
Grant County homeowners pay $1,713 annually on a median-valued home of $225,100. Those with mortgages pay nearly the same at $1,700, while owners free and clear pay $1,730.
Don't accept overassessment
Even in lower-value counties like Grant, assessments can be wrong—especially after major home improvements or in volatile real estate markets. Oregon law gives you the right to appeal your assessment at no cost if you believe it's inaccurate.
Grant County renters enjoy one of Oregon's best affordability rates, spending just 16.9% of their income on housing—well below both the state average of 19.4% and national norms. With median rent of only $840/month and household income of $59,800, housing costs remain remarkably manageable in this remote county.
Oregon's most affordable rental market
Grant County's 16.9% rent-to-income ratio is among the lowest in Oregon, beating the state average by more than 2 percentage points. Renters here enjoy rents $297 cheaper than Oregon's median, making it the state's most affordable county for those seeking rental housing.
The cheapest rents in eastern Oregon
Grant County's $840 monthly rent vastly undercuts all regional neighbors—$244 less than Gilliam, $517 less than Jefferson, and $834 less than Deschutes. This makes Grant the clear affordability champion for renters willing to embrace its rural, remote location.
Housing costs leave room in the budget
Grant County households earning $59,800 annually spend $840 on rent (16.9% of income) or $735 on owner costs (14.8% of income). Both tenure types consume less than one-fifth of gross income, offering financial breathing room rare in today's housing market.
Remote Oregon for those prioritizing affordability
If keeping housing costs as low as possible tops your relocation priorities, Grant County is Oregon's answer at just $840/month for rent. The trade-off is remoteness and limited economic opportunities, so weigh the affordability advantage carefully against your job and lifestyle needs.
Grant County's median household income of $59,800 lags the U.S. median of $74,755 by nearly $15,000 annually. This gap reflects Grant's remote location and dependence on agriculture and natural resource extraction.
Below Oregon's county average
At $59,800, Grant County trails Oregon's median income of $69,965 by roughly $10,000. Per capita income of $34,924 also falls short of the state average of $37,652.
Lowest income in eastern Oregon tier
Grant households earn just $817 more than Douglas County ($58,983) but $13,251 less than Gilliam County ($64,219). The county faces steeper economic headwinds than both Deschutes and Hood River.
Lowest housing burden in the state
Grant County's 16.9% rent-to-income ratio is among Oregon's best, well below the 20% threshold. Median home values of $225,100 make homeownership genuinely affordable for median-earning families.
Use affordability to build savings
Low housing costs free up income for wealth-building: maximize any available employer 401(k) match, contribute to an IRA, or invest in a taxable account. Even small, consistent investments grow substantially over 20–30 years.
Grant County residents live to 79.7 years on average—3.3 years longer than the U.S. average of 76.4 years—placing it among America's healthier counties. Yet 19.1% report poor or fair health, above the national average of 16.1%, suggesting disparities within the community.
Outperforms state average despite challenges
Grant County's 79.7-year life expectancy beats Oregon's state average of 77.0 years by 2.7 years, demonstrating strong longevity outcomes for a rural county. However, its 8.2% uninsured rate slightly exceeds Oregon's 8.1% average, meaning coverage gaps persist despite overall health strength.
Eastern Oregon's second-healthiest county
Grant's 79.7-year life expectancy ranks second only to Deschutes County (80.9 years) in the eastern Oregon sample, and its 96 primary care providers per 100K matches Jackson County's access. The county's 610 mental health providers per 100K demonstrates strong behavioral health support relative to peers.
Solid infrastructure for rural care
Grant County maintains 96 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and 610 mental health providers per 100K, creating robust healthcare access for a rural population. These numbers suggest that healthcare infrastructure is supporting the county's strong life expectancy outcomes and relatively low rate of reported poor health.
Maintain coverage for continued health
Grant County's strong health outcomes depend on residents accessing care, but 8.2% still lack insurance coverage. Visit healthcare.gov or your county health department to renew Medicaid coverage or explore marketplace plans and maintain the preventive care that supports Grant's impressive longevity.
Grant County's composite score of 32.12 places it well below the national average, indicating very low overall disaster exposure. However, this masks a significant wildfire threat at 93.58, which dominates the county's hazard profile. The very low rating primarily reflects minimal earthquake, flood, and tornado activity.
A Low-Risk Oregon County with One Exception
Grant's 32.12 composite score sits far below Oregon's state average of 63.43, ranking it among the state's safer communities. Yet its 93.58 wildfire risk score exceeds most Oregon counties, creating a paradox of overall safety with concentrated fire vulnerability. The county occupies a middle ground between Gilliam's exceptional safety and the high-risk western counties.
Safer Than Deschutes and Jackson, Similar to Gilliam
Grant faces roughly ten times lower overall risk than nearby Deschutes (84.92) and Jackson (92.53), though wildfire exposure rivals or exceeds theirs. It sits slightly higher than Gilliam (2.74) and Harney (23.66) but lower than Hood River (32.06). The shared wildfire vulnerability across eastern Oregon contrasts with the region's generally low multi-hazard risk.
Wildfire Risk Dominates Grant's Hazard Profile
Wildfire at 93.58 represents Grant County's overwhelming concern, far outweighing other hazards. Flood risk of 50.19 creates moderate secondary exposure, while earthquake (23.41) and tornado (2.29) risks remain negligible. The landscape's natural fire susceptibility, combined with extended dry seasons, creates elevated burning conditions.
Wildfire Insurance and Prevention Are Essential
Grant residents should verify that wildfire damage is specifically covered in homeowners policies, as standard coverage often excludes it. Implement aggressive defensible space management—clearing vegetation within 100 feet of structures—to reduce fire exposure. Standard flood and earthquake coverage remains optional given the county's low exposure to these hazards.