CountyScore

Okaloosa County

Florida · FL

#45 in Florida
62.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Okaloosa County, Florida

Okaloosa ranks 33% above U.S. median

Okaloosa County's composite score of 66.4 substantially exceeds the national median of 50.0, indicating strong livability by national standards. This advantage reflects the county's tax efficiency and reasonable housing costs for a Florida county.

Slightly below Florida average

Okaloosa's score of 66.4 trails Florida's 69.4 state average by 3 points, placing it in the middle-upper tier of Florida counties. The county's performance is solid but not among the state's top performers.

Tax leader with moderate housing costs

Okaloosa boasts a tax score of 85.4 with Florida's second-lowest effective tax rate at 0.600%, maximizing resident earnings. Housing remains reasonable with median home values at $324,800 and rent at $1,475/month, well-balanced for the region.

Income levels moderate for the state

Okaloosa's income score of 35.0 is middle-tier, with median household income at $79,097 trailing more affluent Florida counties. Schools, health, safety, and environmental quality data are not yet available.

Ideal for middle-income families seeking balance

Okaloosa County suits working families and military-connected households seeking tax advantages, reasonable housing, and stable communities near Eglin Air Force Base. It's not for those seeking maximum income potential but works well for those prioritizing stability and value.

Score breakdown

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

Tax85.4Cost59.9SafetyComing SoonHealth69.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome35Risk7.5WaterComing Soon
🏛85.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠59.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼35
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤69.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡7.5
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

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

Counties with similar scores

Boulder County
Colorado
62.3
Median income: $102,772
Hardee County
Florida
62.3
Median income: $54,231
Martin County
Florida
62.3
Median income: $80,701
Cumberland County
Maine
62.3
Median income: $92,983
Kalamazoo County
Michigan
62.3
Median income: $70,525

Deep Dives

Okaloosa County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Okaloosa County

via TaxByCounty

Okaloosa offers tax relief vs national average

Okaloosa County's effective tax rate of 0.600% ranks among the lowest in the nation, providing substantial tax relief to homeowners compared to the national median. The county's median property tax of $1,948 falls well below the national median of $2,690, making it an attractive location for tax-conscious homeowners.

Okaloosa ranks among Florida's lowest-taxed

Okaloosa County's 0.600% effective rate is significantly below Florida's state average of 0.731%, placing it in the lower tier of the state's 67 counties. The median tax of $1,948 is just 3% above the state median despite higher-than-average property values, reflecting this county's favorable tax treatment.

Okaloosa outpaces regional tax burden

Okaloosa County's 0.600% rate is substantially lower than Orange County (0.780%), Marion County (0.751%), and all South Florida neighbors, making it one of Florida's most tax-friendly locations. Despite moderate property values of $324,800, residents here enjoy some of the state's lowest annual tax bills.

What Okaloosa homeowners actually pay

A homeowner with Okaloosa's median home value of $324,800 pays approximately $1,948 in annual property taxes at the county's 0.600% effective rate. With a mortgage, that bill rises to about $2,049 when accounting for escrow and related charges.

Verify your Okaloosa assessment carefully

Even in low-tax counties like Okaloosa, overassessments occur and create unnecessary tax bills over time. Review your property's assessed value against current market comparables and file a free appeal with the county property appraiser if you believe it's overstated.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Okaloosa County

via CostByCounty

Okaloosa County matches national affordability

Okaloosa County renters spend 22.4% of their income on housing, virtually identical to the national average and well below the economist-flagged 30% threshold. With a median household income of $79,097—above the national median of $74,755—residents enjoy reasonable rent affordability across this Panhandle county.

Okaloosa sits right at Florida's affordability center

At 22.4% of income spent on rent, Okaloosa County performs nearly identically to Florida's state average of 22.5%, ranking it squarely in the middle of the state's affordability spectrum. The median rent of $1,475 and strong household income of $79,097 create stable, predictable housing costs.

Okaloosa balances costs against regional peers

Okaloosa's median rent of $1,475 falls between Marion ($1,174) and Orange County ($1,675), while its household income of $79,097 exceeds most regional competitors except Nassau. This balance yields a 22.4% ratio that outperforms Marion (24.1%) and Orange (26.1%) despite similar or higher absolute rent costs.

Okaloosa rents claim roughly a quarter of income

A typical Okaloosa renter earning $79,097 annually pays $1,475 monthly—22.4% of gross income, positioning housing as manageable. Homeowners face steeper percentages at $1,404 monthly (21.3% of income), with median home values of $324,800 requiring significant down payments.

Okaloosa offers Panhandle balance and stability

If you're relocating to Florida's Panhandle and value both affordability and income-to-rent ratios, Okaloosa delivers near-perfect state averages. Test this county against Miami-Dade's crisis-level 30.2% ratio or Nassau's superior 18.0% rate to find your personal affordability sweet spot.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Okaloosa County

via IncomeByCounty

Okaloosa exceeds national income standard

Okaloosa County's median household income of $79,097 surpasses the national median of $74,755 by $4,342, positioning the county firmly above the national average. The presence of Eglin Air Force Base significantly supports the county's economic stability.

Strong performer in Florida

At $79,097, Okaloosa's median household income ranks well above Florida's state average of $65,468 by $13,629. The county consistently ranks in the upper half of Florida counties for household earnings.

Competitive with regional peers

Okaloosa's $79,097 places it close to Martin County ($80,701) and Orange County ($77,011), reflecting northwest Florida's solid economic foundation. The region's military presence and tourism industry create stable, diversified employment.

Housing costs remain manageable

Okaloosa's rent-to-income ratio of 22.4% sits comfortably below the 28% threshold, meaning housing costs consume roughly one-fifth of earnings. With a median home value of $324,800, homeownership is achievable for typical households.

Build on stable foundations

Okaloosa residents enjoy above-average incomes paired with reasonable housing costs, creating room for consistent savings and investment. Take advantage of employer retirement plans, especially if employed by the military or related sectors, and consider working with a financial advisor on long-term wealth strategies.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Okaloosa County

via HealthByCounty

Okaloosa County meets national norms

Okaloosa County residents live 75.9 years on average, roughly 3.4 years below the U.S. average of 79.3 years. With 15.6% reporting poor or fair health—below the national 18% rate—the county shows solid disease management relative to national patterns.

Slightly above Florida average

At 75.9 years, Okaloosa's life expectancy nearly matches Florida's 75.8-year average, placing it squarely in the state's middle ranks. The county's 15.6% poor/fair health rate falls slightly above Florida's typical range, reflecting typical health outcomes for the state.

Competitive with Gulf Coast peers

Okaloosa's 75.9-year life expectancy mirrors Santa Rosa County's 76.1 years and outpaces less-wealthy inland counties. With 70 primary care providers and 231 mental health providers per 100,000, Okaloosa maintains above-average provider density for the region.

Good insurance access, solid care

Okaloosa's 11.9% uninsured rate is below Florida's 14.4% average, ensuring most residents access routine preventive care. Strong provider availability—especially mental health support—means residents typically avoid long waits for appointments.

Keep coverage up to date

Okaloosa County's strong health profile depends on maintaining good insurance coverage rates. Visit healthcare.gov or check with military-affiliated insurance providers if you're in the Eglin Air Force Base region to ensure optimal plan selection.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Okaloosa County

via RiskByCounty

Okaloosa faces relatively moderate risk

Okaloosa County scores 92.46 on composite disaster risk, earning a relatively moderate rating well above the national average. The score reflects significant exposure concentrated in tornados and hurricanes rather than broadly distributed hazards. Okaloosa residents face substantially greater overall risk than the typical American county.

Well above Florida's average

Okaloosa's 92.46 score exceeds Florida's state average of 75.74 by nearly 17 points, ranking it in the upper tier of Florida's 67 counties. The county's risk profile is driven heavily by tornado exposure (94.21) and hurricane exposure (98.08). Its panhandle location makes it a hotspot for severe weather compared to the state norm.

Tornado risk distinguishes it

Okaloosa County's 92.46 score aligns with other panhandle counties like Escambia (90+) and Santa Rosa, but stands out for extreme tornado risk at 94.21. While hurricane risk of 98.08 is shared with coastal neighbors, Okaloosa's tornado exposure is higher than most coastal Florida counties. The county's position makes it a regional tornado hotspot.

Tornadoes and hurricanes lead threats

Okaloosa County faces extreme tornado risk at 94.21—well above the state average—and near-maximum hurricane risk at 98.08 from its panhandle coastal position. Wildfire risk of 75.73 is moderate for Florida, while flood risk of 80.38 rounds out the hazard profile. The combination of tornadoes and hurricanes makes severe weather response expertise essential.

Windstorm and tornado protection matter

With tornado risk at 94.21 and hurricane risk at 98.08, Okaloosa County residents should carry comprehensive homeowners insurance with windstorm coverage and consider a safe room or basement for tornado protection. Flood insurance is recommended for properties near coastal areas or low-lying zones. Maintain property-hardening measures including storm shutters and reinforced entry points.

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.