Murray County

Oklahoma · OK

#15 in Oklahoma
72
County Score

County Report Card

About Murray County, Oklahoma

Murray ranks in top tier nationally

Murray County's composite score of 72.0 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 44%, placing it among the country's better-performing counties. This performance reflects strong fundamentals across multiple livability dimensions.

Leads Oklahoma county rankings

Murray County ranks above the Oklahoma state average of 68.4 with a score of 72.0, positioning it as one of the state's top-performing counties. This leadership reflects consistent strength across tax, cost, income, and health dimensions.

Tax efficiency and strong incomes

Murray's standout strengths include the state's lowest effective tax rate at 0.429% (score: 90.2) and a solid median household income of $61,904 (score: 23.8). Risk resilience also scores impressively at 67.5, indicating good economic stability and lower vulnerability to economic shocks.

Housing affordability moderately tightens

While still affordable by national standards, Murray's median home value of $154,900 and rent at $859/month reflect a cost score of 82.6—solid but slightly lower than peer counties. Health outcomes at 57.2 offer room for improvement to match top-performing Oklahoma counties.

Ideal for value-seeking professionals

Murray County works best for families seeking a balanced mix of affordability, reasonable incomes, and economic resilience in rural Oklahoma. It appeals particularly to professionals and business owners who want low taxes and a stable community without sacrificing income potential or cost advantages.

Score breakdown

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

Tax90.2Cost82.6SafetyComing SoonHealth57.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome23.8Risk67.5WaterComing Soon
🏛90.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠82.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼23.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
57.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
67.5
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Murray County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Murray County

via TaxByCounty

Murray taxes among America's lowest

Murray County's effective tax rate of 0.429% ranks in the lowest echelon nationwide, dwarfed by the national median property tax of $2,690 on a median home. Homeowners here pay less than one-third of what the typical American household owes in property tax.

Murray ranks lowest in Oklahoma

Murray County sports Oklahoma's lowest effective tax rate at 0.429%—a full 34% below the state average of 0.652%. The county's median tax of $665 is the most affordable in the state, offering significant savings compared to the state median of $959.

Murray leads the region in affordability

Murray's 0.429% rate undercuts all nearby counties, including McIntosh (0.587%), Muskogee (0.700%), and Okfuskee (0.498%). While the median tax bill of $665 ranks lowest regionally, the higher median home value ($154,900) means mortgage payers see larger total bills than in some neighboring counties.

What Murray homeowners pay annually

On a median home value of $154,900, Murray's effective rate of 0.429% yields an estimated annual tax of $665. Those with mortgages typically pay $1,109, while outright homeowners pay around $485.

Even low-tax Murray allows appeals

Even in Oklahoma's lowest-tax county, some homeowners remain overassessed relative to true market value. Contacting the county assessor to request a reassessment is free and frequently results in lower taxes and potential refunds.

Cost of Living in Murray County

via CostByCounty

Murray offers affordable living option

Murray County renters spend just 16.6% of household income on rent, sitting comfortably below Oklahoma's 17.0% state average and well-aligned with national affordability standards. The county's median household income of $61,904 is closer to the national average of $74,755 than many rural Oklahoma peers, easing housing cost burdens.

Among Oklahoma's most affordable

Murray County ranks as one of Oklahoma's more affordable counties, with a 16.6% rent-to-income ratio that beats the state average by 0.4 percentage points. This modest advantage reflects a favorable balance between local incomes and housing costs across the county.

Better positioned than peers

Murray County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.6% outperforms most neighboring counties, including Muskogee (19.0%), McIntosh (19.8%), and Oklahoma County (19.7%). At $859 monthly rent, Murray sits slightly above the state average, yet higher local incomes make the burden more manageable than in adjacent areas.

Balanced housing costs and income

Murray residents earning a median of $61,904 annually pay $859 in monthly rent, allocating about 16.6% of income to housing—a sustainable level for renters. Homeowners enjoy even better economics, with median monthly costs of $677 on homes valued at $154,900, among the highest in the rural Oklahoma region.

Murray delivers housing accessibility

Relocating to Murray County offers one of Oklahoma's more balanced housing markets, with rents of $859 and home values near $155,000 supported by incomes averaging $62,000. If affordability and income stability matter for your move, Murray's metrics stand out favorably against state and regional alternatives.

Income & Jobs in Murray County

via IncomeByCounty

Murray's income runs 17% below U.S.

Murray County's median household income of $61,904 trails the national median of $74,755 by roughly $13,000 per year. The county sits below the national average but above many neighboring rural economies.

Middle-of-the-pack statewide

At $61,904, Murray County exceeds Oklahoma's state average of $58,273 by nearly 6%, placing it in the upper-middle tier of Oklahoma counties. The county's income profile is stronger than most rural peers statewide.

Best-performing regional economy

Murray County ($61,904) outearns nearby McIntosh ($46,203), Nowata ($52,679), and Okmulgee ($53,123). Its per capita income of $33,997 is among the region's highest, signaling stronger economic opportunity.

Strong housing affordability

Murray's rent-to-income ratio of 16.6% sits well below the 20% threshold, indicating excellent housing affordability. A median home value of $154,900 is realistic and accessible for the typical household.

Your income supports investment

At $61,904 median household income, Murray County residents have stronger capacity than state peers to invest in retirement accounts, education funds, and home equity. Diversifying income streams and automating savings can accelerate wealth-building goals.

Health in Murray County

via HealthByCounty

Life expectancy below U.S. average

Murray County residents live to 72.0 years, about 4.4 years shorter than the U.S. average of 76.4 years. One in five residents (21.3%) report poor or fair health, exceeding the national rate of 18%. These metrics reflect health challenges that distinguish the county from national norms.

Slightly below state health average

Murray County's life expectancy of 72.0 years trails Oklahoma's state average of 72.7 years by less than a year. The county's 21.3% poor/fair health rate sits slightly below the state trend, placing it in the middle tier of Oklahoma counties.

Modest health advantage in region

Murray County's 72.0-year life expectancy matches Nowata County exactly but lags behind the state average of 72.7 years. Its 21.3% poor/fair health rate is better than McIntosh, Muskogee, and Okmulgee counties, suggesting a healthier trajectory than some regional peers.

Decent primary care access, room to grow

Murray County has 29 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, a solid ratio compared to the state's lower-resource counties. At 16.4% uninsured, the county is slightly above the state average, while 95 mental health providers per 100K suggest room to expand behavioral health services.

Check coverage options for your family

About 16% of Murray County residents lack health insurance—but affordable options exist through the Health Insurance Marketplace or Oklahoma Medicaid. Visit healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to see what coverage is available for your household.

Disaster Risk in Murray County

via RiskByCounty

Murray County enjoys low national risk

At 32.54, Murray County's composite risk score ranks well below the national average, earning a "Very Low" rating. This places it among Oklahoma's safest counties for natural disaster exposure.

Murray ranks among Oklahoma's safest

Murray's 32.54 score sits well below Oklahoma's 55.47 state average, making it one of the least at-risk counties in the state. Few Oklahoma counties offer comparable disaster resilience.

Safest county in its region

Murray (32.54) significantly outperforms neighboring McIntosh (65.78) and Muskogee (82.03) counties in overall risk resilience. Its low exposure makes it a standout for stability in south-central Oklahoma.

Wildfire remains the primary concern

Despite low overall risk, wildfire exposure reaches 82.38—notably higher than other hazards. Tornado risk (68.64) also warrants attention, though both remain moderate relative to state and national benchmarks.

Standard coverage sufficient for most risks

Murray County residents can proceed with confidence using standard homeowners insurance, though wildfire riders provide extra protection given the 82.38 wildfire score. Maintain defensible space around structures as a low-cost risk reducer.

ByCounty Network

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