CountyScore

McCurtain County

Oklahoma · OK

#40 in Oklahoma
67.8
County Score

County Report Card

About McCurtain County, Oklahoma

McCurtain stands above national average

McCurtain County's composite score of 67.8 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 36%, placing it in the 68th percentile nationally. This is respectable performance against the entire country's county landscape.

Near Oklahoma's statewide average

McCurtain's score of 67.8 slightly trails Oklahoma's state average of 68.4, representing reliable mid-tier performance within Oklahoma's county system.

Exceptional tax and cost advantages

McCurtain leads this entire cohort with a tax score of 91.0 and the lowest effective tax rate of 0.401%, paired with cost score of 88.0. Median rent of $705/month and home values of $126,100 are among the nation's most affordable.

Income and health require attention

Income is severely limited at 16.1, with median household income of just $50,175, the lowest in this group. Health scores lag at 48.3, suggesting potential healthcare access or wellness challenges.

Perfect for ultra-frugal, self-sufficient residents

McCurtain County is built for retirees with minimal expenses, remote workers, and those seeking the absolute lowest cost of living in Oklahoma. It offers exceptional affordability but requires residents to be resourceful about income and healthcare access.

Score breakdown

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

Tax91Cost88SafetyComing SoonHealth48.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome16.1Risk28WaterComing Soon
🏛91
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠88
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼16.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤48.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡28
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 McCurtain County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

White County
Arkansas
67.8
Median income: $53,435
Jeff Davis County
Georgia
67.8
Median income: $40,879
Kalawao County
Hawaii
67.8
Median income: $86,250
Mercer County
Illinois
67.8
Median income: $71,710
Chautauqua County
Kansas
67.8
Median income: $54,592

Deep Dives

McCurtain County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in McCurtain County

via TaxByCounty

McCurtain County's tax-friendly advantage

At 0.401%, McCurtain County boasts one of the lowest effective tax rates in the nation, well below the national median of 0.87%. Residents pay just $505 annually in property taxes—a mere 19% of the national median—making McCurtain exceptionally affordable.

Oklahoma's most affordable county

McCurtain County's 0.401% effective rate ranks lowest among all Oklahoma counties, significantly below the state average of 0.652%. At $505 in median annual taxes, McCurtain homeowners pay less than half of Oklahoma's state median of $959.

Far and away the best deal

McCurtain County's 0.401% rate dramatically undercuts every neighbor—it's less than two-thirds of Marshall County's 0.590% and roughly half of Love County's 0.636%. For tax-conscious homeowners, McCurtain offers unmatched regional savings.

Remarkably low annual costs

On McCurtain County's median home value of $126,100, annual property taxes total only $505—roughly $42 per month. With mortgage and insurance, total annual property costs total approximately $725, among the lowest in the state.

Still worth checking your assessment

Even in low-tax McCurtain County, homeowners benefit from periodically verifying their assessed values against recent neighborhood sales. An appeals process exists; if your assessment seems inflated, pursuing an appeal costs little and could provide modest additional savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in McCurtain County

via CostByCounty

McCurtain's lowest earners face affordability test

At 16.9%, McCurtain County's rent-to-income ratio approaches affordability stress, particularly for a county where median household income is just $50,175—the lowest in this analysis and $24,580 below the national median. Housing costs consume a significant share of modest earnings here.

Below-average income, average housing stress

McCurtain County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.9% sits just below Oklahoma's state average of 17.0%, but the median income of $50,175 ranks among the state's lowest. The county faces dual challenges: limited earnings paired with housing costs near state averages.

Affordable rent, limited income context

McCurtain County's rent of $705 is cheaper than most neighbors, but the median income of $50,175 means those savings matter more here than in wealthier counties. The median home value of $126,100 is among the lowest in the region.

Owners have modest advantage over renters

Renters spend 16.9% of income on rent ($705), while homeowners spend only 12.3% on mortgage ($516), a $189 monthly difference that's significant for households earning just $50,175. Ownership offers meaningful financial relief in this lower-income county.

McCurtain rewards homeowners most

If relocating to McCurtain County on a modest budget, homeownership is essential—monthly mortgage costs are roughly $189 cheaper than rent and equity accumulation provides long-term wealth building. Renters should explore higher-income opportunities or consider lower-cost neighboring areas.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in McCurtain County

via IncomeByCounty

McCurtain faces steepest income gap

McCurtain County's median household income of $50,175 trails the U.S. median by $24,580, a 33% shortfall—the region's largest income gap. This reflects significant economic challenges in the county.

Oklahoma's lowest tier

McCurtain ranks among Oklahoma's lowest-income counties with household income $8,098 below the state average of $58,273. Per capita income of $25,818 is 16% below the state norm, indicating constrained earning capacity.

Lowest earner in the region

McCurtain's $50,175 median is the region's lowest, trailing Marshall ($56,495), Mayes ($57,279), and all other comparable counties. The gap to Logan ($82,735) and McClain ($84,778) exceeds $32,000 annually.

Rent strains household finances

At 16.9%, McCurtain's rent-to-income ratio pushes toward affordability limits, leaving little financial cushion for renters. Median home value of $126,100 represents 2.5 years of income—achievable but challenging given income constraints.

Prioritize income and skills

McCurtain residents should focus intensely on career development and income growth as the foundation for wealth building. Investigate job training programs, trade certifications, and local employer opportunities while maintaining modest savings discipline and avoiding high-interest debt.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in McCurtain County

via HealthByCounty

McCurtain County faces severe health crisis

At 68.2 years, McCurtain County's life expectancy trails the U.S. average of 73.5 years by a devastating 5.3 years—a gap that ranks among the worst in America. With 27.7% reporting poor or fair health versus the national 19%, residents face epidemic-level chronic disease and premature mortality.

Oklahoma's most health-challenged county

McCurtain County's 68.2-year life expectancy plunges 4.5 years below Oklahoma's 72.7-year state average, making it the state's lowest performer by a wide margin. The 16.4% uninsured rate compounds an already dire situation, leaving many residents unable to access care for treatable conditions.

Dramatically worse than all regional peers

McCurtain County's 68.2-year life expectancy falls 4+ years below every regional neighbor—Logan (77.9), Lincoln (74.2), Major (74.1)—creating a regional health crisis unique to this county. Despite strong primary care access at 45 per 100,000 and abundant mental health providers (385 per 100,000), outcomes remain catastrophically poor.

Providers exist, but health is collapsing

McCurtain County has 45 primary care providers per 100,000—adequate supply—yet 27.7% experience poor/fair health and life expectancy collapses at 68.2 years. Poverty, substance abuse, and social fragmentation likely overwhelm even good provider availability, while 16.4% uninsured further blocks access to care.

Insurance is just the first step

If you're uninsured in McCurtain County, getting covered at healthcare.gov is urgent—but coverage alone won't reverse the county's health crisis. Seek preventive care immediately, connect with local primary providers, and advocate for community health programs that address the deeper poverty and social challenges driving premature mortality.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in McCurtain County

via RiskByCounty

McCurtain County faces above-average risk

McCurtain County's composite risk score of 72.04 earns a "Relatively Low" rating but exceeds the national average. The county's multi-hazard profile is driven by elevated flood, wildfire, and tornado risks.

Higher than Oklahoma's average risk

At 72.04, McCurtain County's composite risk significantly exceeds Oklahoma's state average of 55.47. The county stands out for its notably higher hurricane risk (55.99) and earthquake risk (64.73) compared to most other Oklahoma counties.

Among the riskier counties

McCurtain County (72.04) approaches the risk levels of Lincoln County (71.31) and Mayes County (77.58), making it one of the region's more hazard-exposed areas. All three face substantially more risk than Major County (34.19) or Love County (21.12).

Flood, wildfire, and tornado converge

Flood risk scores 75.89, wildfire 77.61, and tornado 76.69, creating a formidable triple threat to McCurtain County. Earthquake (64.73) and hurricane (55.99) risks are also notably elevated compared to other Oklahoma counties.

Comprehensive coverage is critical

Homeowners need robust flood insurance, fire coverage, and wind protection—standard policies exclude flood damage, and comprehensive protection is essential here. Consider the southeastern location's hurricane exposure and ensure your policy limits reflect full replacement costs for all three primary hazards.

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.