CountyScore

Kiowa County

Oklahoma · OK

#23 in Oklahoma
70.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Kiowa County, Oklahoma

Kiowa County tops the national baseline

Kiowa County's composite score of 70.7 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 41%, positioning it well above average U.S. livability. This strong performance reflects exceptional affordability and tax benefits tempered by limited income opportunities.

Above Oklahoma's state average

Kiowa County's score of 70.7 surpasses the Oklahoma state average of 68.4, ranking it among the state's top counties for overall livability. This places it solidly in Oklahoma's higher-performing communities.

Exceptional affordability and stability

Kiowa County offers outstanding housing affordability with just $675/month rent and $90,300 median home values, earning a cost score of 87.5. A strong tax score of 86.2 with 0.573% effective rate and solid risk score of 64.2 indicate stable financial foundations.

Very limited local income growth

Kiowa County's median household income of $42,063 is among the lowest in this group, producing an income score of just 10.9. This severely constrains earning potential for those relying on local employment.

For retirees and remote professionals

Kiowa County is perfect for retirees and remote workers who need ultra-low housing costs and minimal tax burdens but don't depend on local wages. It offers exceptional cost-of-living advantages for those with external income sources.

Score breakdown

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

Tax86.2Cost87.5SafetyComing SoonHealth55SchoolsComing SoonIncome10.9Risk64.2WaterComing Soon
🏛86.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠87.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼10.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤55
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡64.2
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 Kiowa County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Greene County
Georgia
70.7
Median income: $84,530
Jenkins County
Georgia
70.7
Median income: $36,906
Lincoln County
Georgia
70.7
Median income: $50,688
Wilkinson County
Georgia
70.7
Median income: $46,673
Blaine County
Idaho
70.7
Median income: $84,470

Deep Dives

Kiowa County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Kiowa County

via TaxByCounty

Kiowa County taxes rank among lowest in nation

Kiowa County's effective tax rate of 0.573% is well below the national median of 0.88%, placing it in the bottom quarter of American counties for tax burden. The median property tax of $517 annually represents just 19% of the national median of $2,690, making Kiowa one of the most tax-friendly counties nationally.

Kiowa County has lower-than-average Oklahoma taxes

Kiowa County's 0.573% effective rate sits below Oklahoma's state average of 0.652%, ranking among the most affordable counties statewide. The median tax bill of $517 is substantially lower than Oklahoma's state median of $959, reflecting both lower home values and favorable tax policies.

Competitive rates among southwestern Oklahoma counties

Kiowa County's 0.573% effective rate sits between Johnston County (0.555%) and Jackson County (0.633%), making it a middle-ground option in southwestern Oklahoma. The county offers better rates than Kay County (0.684%) and Le Flore County (0.653%) to the east.

Median annual tax on Kiowa County home

The typical Kiowa County homeowner with a $90,300 house pays about $517 per year in property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages typically pay $737 annually including escrow, while those without mortgages pay $419.

Appeal your assessment if you think it's high

Many Kiowa County homeowners are assessed above market value and don't realize they can appeal. If your property feels overvalued, contact the county assessor's office about a formal reassessment—thousands of Oklahomans successfully reduce their tax burden this way each year.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Kiowa County

via CostByCounty

Kiowa County faces steep housing-income strain

Kiowa County's 19.3% rent-to-income ratio is the highest in this county group and significantly above Oklahoma's state average of 17.0%, indicating serious affordability challenges. With a median household income of just $42,063—the lowest among peers—residents paying $675/month in rent experience the region's tightest housing burden.

Kiowa County struggles for affordability

Kiowa County ranks among Oklahoma's least affordable counties with a 19.3% rent-to-income ratio exceeding the state average by 2.3 percentage points. Despite modest rent at $675/month, the lowest median income in this group of $42,063 stretches housing costs dangerously high relative to earnings.

Kiowa among the region's most challenged

Kiowa County's $675 rent is affordable in isolation, but paired with the lowest median income ($42,063) among peer counties, it creates the highest rent-to-income ratio at 19.3%. Owner costs of $589/month and a median home value of $90,300 offer no relief, as all housing options strain tight budgets.

Kiowa's housing crisis in budget reality

Kiowa County residents earning $42,063 annually dedicate 19.3% of gross income to $675/month rent, leaving little for utilities, food, and transportation. Homeowners paying $589/month face 16.8% of income going to mortgages alone, making Kiowa the region's most housing-stressed county.

Kiowa County: only for low-cost seekers

Kiowa County's tight affordability makes it viable only for retirees on fixed income, gig workers with supplemental earnings, or those relocating from even higher-cost areas. If you earn less than $50,000 and need affordable housing, consider Jefferson or Jackson County's better income-to-housing ratios instead.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Kiowa County

via IncomeByCounty

Kiowa County faces significant income challenges

Kiowa County's median household income of $42,063 is 44% below the U.S. median of $74,755, placing it among the nation's lower-income rural counties. This substantial gap reflects limited economic opportunities and employment challenges in the area.

Kiowa County ranks among Oklahoma's lowest earners

Kiowa County's median household income of $42,063 falls nearly $16,200 below the Oklahoma state average of $58,273, ranking it among the lowest in the state. The per capita income of $24,928 is well below the state average of $30,609, indicating widespread lower earnings.

Kiowa County struggles in its regional context

Kiowa County households earn $6,687 less than Jefferson County ($48,750) and $8,848 less than Johnston County ($50,911). Only Latimer County ($41,048) earns less in the surrounding area, underscoring Kiowa's economic hardships.

High housing costs strain limited household income

Kiowa County's rent-to-income ratio of 19.3% is among the highest in the region, indicating housing costs consume a concerning share of already-limited household income. The median home value of $90,300 is affordable, but tight budgets leave little room for savings or unexpected expenses.

Focus on financial stability and community resources

Kiowa County residents facing income constraints should prioritize financial counseling and local assistance programs to build resilience. Even modest savings contributions and access to employer benefits can provide a foundation for gradual wealth building over time.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Kiowa County

via HealthByCounty

Kiowa County faces significant health challenges

Life expectancy in Kiowa County is 70.1 years—the lowest in this dataset and over a year below the U.S. average of 71.4 years. Nearly one in four residents (24.7%) report poor or fair health, indicating substantial community health struggles.

County ranks among Oklahoma's poorest health outcomes

Kiowa County's 70.1-year life expectancy ranks in the bottom tier of Oklahoma's counties, falling 2.6 years below the state average of 72.7 years. The 24.7% poor/fair health rate underscores deeply rooted health disparities.

Significant disparities compared to adjacent counties

Jackson County residents live 2.9 years longer than Kiowa County residents, and Kay County (71.8 years) also outpaces Kiowa substantially. Limited primary care provider capacity at 36 per 100,000 compounds the health disadvantage Kiowa County residents face.

Sparse provider network and insurance barriers

Kiowa County has just 36 primary care providers per 100,000 and 155 mental health providers per 100,000—limited resources for community health needs. Though the 13.9% uninsured rate is slightly below state average, the scarcity of available providers means coverage alone doesn't guarantee easy access to care.

Coverage is essential for your health

Kiowa County residents should prioritize finding health insurance coverage to support preventive care and catch health problems early. Call 1-800-318-2596 or visit healthcare.gov to explore plans that may reduce your out-of-pocket costs and improve access to the care this community needs.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Kiowa County

via RiskByCounty

Kiowa County has very low risk

Kiowa County's composite risk score of 35.78 ranks as very low—substantially below the national average and well under Oklahoma's state average of 55.47. This favorable profile reflects moderate hazard exposure across categories.

Well below Oklahoma's average risk

At 35.78, Kiowa County ranks among the safer counties statewide, well below the state average of 55.47. The county benefits from a relatively low natural disaster risk compared to most of Oklahoma.

Safest county in its region

Kiowa County's score of 35.78 is substantially lower than Jackson County (86.04) and Kingfisher County (56.84), making it one of the safer areas regionally. The county enjoys notably lower hazard exposure than its surrounding peers.

Tornado and wildfire exposure

Tornado risk stands at 72.39—elevated but manageable—while wildfire risk (71.63) presents the county's second-highest exposure. Flood and earthquake risks remain secondary concerns in Kiowa County's overall hazard profile.

Standard homeowners policy sufficient

A basic homeowners policy covering wind and tornado damage provides solid protection for most Kiowa County properties. Residents should still ensure adequate coverage limits and consider flood insurance if near flood-prone areas.

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.