CountyScore

Hughes County

Oklahoma · OK

#20 in Oklahoma
71
County Score

County Report Card

About Hughes County, Oklahoma

Strong national ranking among U.S. counties

Hughes County scores 71.0 on the CountyScore composite index, substantially exceeding the national median of 50.0. The county ranks in the top 38% of all U.S. counties for livability.

Above-average within Oklahoma

At 71.0, Hughes County ranks 2.6 points above Oklahoma's state average of 68.4, positioning it in the upper-middle tier of state counties. The county performs better than most Oklahoma communities on the livability scale.

Maximum affordability and lowest rents

Hughes County delivers the highest cost score (89.9) and lowest median rent ($615/month) among these eight counties. The combination of extreme housing affordability and reasonable home values ($94,900) makes this county exceptionally accessible.

Lowest incomes and modest health outcomes

Income score of 14.7 and median household income of $47,923 are the lowest in this group, limiting economic opportunity. Health score of 52.1 suggests healthcare access or outcomes could be strengthened.

Unbeatable for extreme budget stretching

Hughes County is ideal for fixed-income retirees, remote workers, and families seeking to maximize purchasing power with minimal housing costs. If you can support yourself through external income and want to live as affordably as possible, Hughes County offers unmatched value.

Score breakdown

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

Tax85.1Cost89.9SafetyComing SoonHealth52.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome14.7Risk66WaterComing Soon
🏛85.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠89.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼14.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤52.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡66
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Hughes County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Blount County
Alabama
71
Median income: $61,096
Clarke County
Alabama
71
Median income: $49,167
Dale County
Alabama
71
Median income: $53,955
Boone County
Arkansas
71
Median income: $54,195
Hempstead County
Arkansas
71
Median income: $47,654

Deep Dives

Hughes County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Hughes County

via TaxByCounty

Hughes ranks low on the national stage

Hughes County's effective tax rate of 0.611% is well below the national median, with a median property tax of $580. This represents just 22% of the national median tax of $2,690, placing Hughes among America's most affordable counties for property taxes.

Below Oklahoma's state average

Hughes County's 0.611% rate falls below Oklahoma's 0.652% state average, and its median tax of $580 is substantially lower than the state median of $959. The county offers homeowners a favorable tax climate relative to statewide norms.

Competitive with surrounding counties

Hughes's 0.611% rate is lower than Grady (0.703%), Harmon (0.698%), and Harper (0.668%), but slightly higher than Garvin (0.566%), Grant (0.604%), Greer (0.570%), and Haskell (0.455%). The median home value of $94,900 keeps tax bills moderate.

Median tax bill stands at $580 yearly

A median Hughes County property valued at $94,900 incurs an estimated annual property tax of $580—or $789 when mortgage taxes are included. At roughly $48 per month, homeowners here maintain relatively low tax obligations.

Appeal if your assessment is too high

Oklahoma homeowners frequently overpay due to inflated assessments, and Hughes County residents are no exception. Reviewing your assessment notice and filing an appeal when warranted could reduce your annual tax bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Hughes County

via CostByCounty

Hughes offers moderate rental affordability

Hughes County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.4% sits below the national average of 17.0%, delivering modest affordability gains for renters. The median household income of $47,923 is among the nation's lowest, trailing the national median of $74,755 by roughly $27,000, yet the county's $615 monthly rent is exceptionally affordable.

Below state average despite low incomes

Hughes County's 15.4% rent-to-income ratio beats Oklahoma's state average of 17.0%, and its median rent of $615 is the lowest across all eight counties surveyed. The county's ultra-low rents partially compensate for income levels among the state's weakest.

Lowest rents with lowest incomes

Hughes County's $615 median rent is the region's absolute lowest, yet its $47,923 median income is the lowest as well, creating a mixed affordability picture. The county offers rock-bottom rents but minimal income growth prospects, making it suitable only for those with stable outside earnings.

Both renters and owners find relief

Hughes County renters pay just $615 monthly (15.4% of their $47,923 income), while homeowners spend $503 monthly (12.6%) on median-valued homes of $94,900. The county's exceptionally low housing costs—both rental and ownership—benefit those who can secure employment or other income sources.

Hughes for remote workers seeking refuge

Hughes County delivers the region's lowest absolute housing costs, making it ideal for remote workers, retirees, or those with independent income seeking maximum savings. Renters prioritizing affordability over income opportunities will find Hughes's $615 rent transformative, saving $200+ monthly versus nearby Greer County.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Hughes County

via IncomeByCounty

Hughes faces severe income gap

Hughes County's median household income of $47,923 sits a stark 35.9% below the U.S. median of $74,755, ranking it among America's lowest-income counties. This gap reflects profound economic challenges rooted in limited employment and historical disinvestment.

Lowest in Oklahoma

At $47,923, Hughes County earns $10,350 less than Oklahoma's state average of $58,273—a 17.8% deficit. The county ranks at or near the bottom of Oklahoma's 77 counties, facing the state's most acute income crisis.

Clear regional economic leader missing

Hughes County ($47,923) ranks lowest among all eight counties analyzed, trailing even Haskell ($49,930) by nearly $2,000. Every neighbor—from Grady ($75,730) to Harmon ($54,286)—earns substantially more per household.

Housing strains already-tight budgets

Hughes County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.4% and median home value of $94,900 sound affordable in isolation, but represent significant burdens on the nation's lowest county incomes. Limited income leaves little margin for other essential expenses.

Economic recovery must come first

Hughes County households earning $47,923 face urgent financial pressure that supersedes investment planning. Work with local nonprofits and government programs on job training, debt counseling, and emergency assistance before attempting wealth building.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Hughes County

via HealthByCounty

Hughes County faces severe health challenges

Hughes County's 69.4-year life expectancy is 7.4 years below the U.S. average of 76.8 years, among the worst in this group. More than 1 in 4 residents (26.2%) report poor or fair health, exceeding national rates by 9 percentage points.

One of Oklahoma's unhealthiest counties

Hughes County's 69.4-year life expectancy trails Oklahoma's state average by 3.3 years. Its 26.2% poor/fair health rate is the second-highest in this comparison, indicating widespread chronic disease and health instability.

Hughes ranks among the most vulnerable

Hughes County's 69.4-year life expectancy is the second-lowest in this group, exceeded only by Harmon (68.8 years). Its 26.2% poor/fair health rate is only slightly below Haskell's 26%, placing both counties in acute health crisis.

Minimal provider capacity amid crisis

Hughes County has just 22 primary care providers per 100K—among the lowest in this group. With 14.9% of residents uninsured and only 134 mental health providers per 100K, the county faces a critical shortage of care infrastructure relative to health burden.

Insurance is healthcare's foundation

Hughes County's health crisis demands immediate action; 14.9% of residents lack insurance coverage. Apply for Medicaid or marketplace plans now—coverage is your pathway to regular checkups, prescription management, and treatment that can prevent life-threatening conditions.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Hughes County

via RiskByCounty

Hughes sits below national average

Hughes County's composite risk score of 34.03 places it in the very low category, meaningfully safer than the national average. Wildfire risk of 89.69 and tornado risk of 64.28 represent notable exposures, but overall vulnerability remains modest.

Hughes safer than state average

At 34.03, Hughes ranks below Oklahoma's state average of 55.47, placing it among the state's lower-risk counties. The central location and distance from panhandle wildfire zones contribute to this favorable profile.

Hughes mid-tier for region

Hughes's 34.03 score sits between Grant County (27.77) to the west and Haskell County (30.50) to the south, representing typical east-central Oklahoma risk. All three counties sit substantially below state average.

Wildfire and tornado are dual threats

Hughes faces notable wildfire risk (89.69) and moderate tornado exposure (64.28), making wind and fire the county's primary hazards. Earthquake (36.39), flood (17.53), and hurricane (37.92) risks remain secondary concerns.

Balance wildfire and wind coverage

Hughes residents should ensure homeowners insurance covers both wind damage and wildfire exposure, given the county's dual threats. Maintain defensible space around structures and review coverage limits annually to reflect property value.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

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