CountyScore

Okanogan County

Washington · WA

#20 in Washington
64.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Okanogan County, Washington

Okanogan ranks among America's best counties

Okanogan County scores 73.1 out of 100, substantially exceeding the national median of 50.0 and ranking in the 90th percentile nationally. This exceptional performance places Okanogan among the top tier of U.S. counties for livability.

Outperforms most Washington counties

Okanogan County scores 73.1, above Washington's state average of 68.1, signaling strong livability performance within the state. It ranks among the higher-performing counties statewide.

Exceptional affordability across housing and taxes

Okanogan County boasts a cost score of 80.0 with median homes at $284,200 and rent at just $868 monthly, plus a tax score of 80.6 at 0.772% effective rate. Few counties nationwide offer this combination of low housing costs and favorable taxes.

Lowest incomes present earning limitations

Okanogan County's income score of just 22.7 reflects a median household income of $60,293—the lowest among this group and well below national norms. Limited data on health, schools, and safety obscures additional livability factors.

Ideal for rural dwellers prioritizing affordability

Okanogan County delivers exceptional value for rural families, retirees, and remote workers who can build income independent of local job markets. It offers unmatched housing and tax affordability for those seeking true small-town living.

Score breakdown

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

Tax80.6Cost80SafetyComing SoonHealth60.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome22.7Risk10.8WaterComing Soon
🏛80.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠80
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼22.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤60.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡10.8
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 Okanogan County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Amador County
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Median income: $81,526
Colusa County
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Median income: $75,149
Mono County
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64.7
Median income: $86,953
Bartow County
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64.7
Median income: $79,431
Clinton County
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64.7
Median income: $65,177

Deep Dives

Okanogan County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Okanogan County

via TaxByCounty

Okanogan taxes slightly above national median

Okanogan County's effective tax rate of 0.772% moderately exceeds the U.S. median of 0.71%, placing it in the 65th percentile nationally. The median tax bill of $2,194 is actually 18% below the national median of $2,690, reflecting lower property values in a rural Eastern Washington setting.

Above-average tax rate in Washington

Okanogan County ranks 6th among Washington's 39 counties with an effective rate of 0.772%, just above the statewide average of 0.761%. The county applies steeper rates than most Eastern Washington peers.

Highest-taxed in Eastern Washington peer group

Okanogan County's 0.772% rate exceeds Lincoln (0.595%), Klickitat (0.618%), and Lewis (0.712%), making it the highest-taxed county in its rural region. Moderate rates still produce lower absolute tax bills due to modest property values.

Median tax bill is $2,194 yearly

Okanogan County's median home value of $284,200 produces an annual tax bill of $2,194. Mortgaged properties average $2,353, while mortgage-free homes average $1,974.

Review assessments to catch overvaluation

Okanogan County homeowners should verify their assessed values match recent comparable sales, especially in volatile rural markets. A property tax appeal can eliminate overassessment and reduce your annual tax burden.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Okanogan County

via CostByCounty

Okanogan punches above weight affordably

At 17.3%, Okanogan County's rent-to-income ratio is well below the national average and Washington's state average of 18.8%. Despite the lowest median income of this cohort at $60,293, renters pay just $868 monthly—making Okanogan genuinely affordable on modest earnings.

Eastern Washington's affordability leader

Okanogan's 17.3% rent-to-income ratio ranks among Washington's best, bettered only by rural Lincoln County and significantly below the state average. The median rent of $868 is the state's second-lowest, reflecting the county's remote location and modest economic base.

Cheaper than all western peers

Okanogan's $868 rent is lowest or tied-lowest among all analyzed counties, with only Lincoln undercutting it slightly. The county's affordability shines brightest when compared to all western Washington markets, offering genuine cost-of-living relief.

Lowest income, best ratio

Renters spend just 17.3% of the $60,293 median income on housing, while homeowners dedicate 16.6% to mortgage costs of $838. The median home value of $284,200 is low, enabling homeownership even for the county's lowest earners.

Okanogan offers true affordability

Okanogan County delivers Washington's most dramatic cost-of-living savings, with rents 57% below King County and mortgages that stay under 17% of income. If remote work flexibility or early retirement is your goal, Okanogan's apple-country charm and genuine affordability make relocation math undeniable.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Okanogan County

via IncomeByCounty

Okanogan's Income Lags Nation

Okanogan County's median household income of $60,293 falls 19.4% below the national median of $74,755, ranking among America's lower-earning counties. Agriculture, timber, and tourism constitute the economic foundation.

Washington's Lowest-Income County

Okanogan County ranks last among these eight Washington counties at $60,293 median income, about 21% below the state average of $76,363. Per capita income of $31,905 significantly trails the state per capita of $40,628, indicating severe income constraints.

Significantly Below Regional Peers

Okanogan's $60,293 income trails all comparison counties, falling $9,400 below Lewis County ($69,690), the next-lowest earner. The gap widens dramatically against Kitsap ($98,546), revealing Okanogan's isolation from Washington's high-wage centers.

Low Costs, Limited Income

Okanogan residents allocate just 17.3% of median income to rent with median home values of $284,200—among the state's most affordable housing. Despite favorable costs, the county's low absolute income limits household economic options.

Build Wealth From Limited Resources

Okanogan's median income of $60,293 requires disciplined financial planning; prioritize eliminating high-interest debt before investing. Leverage affordable housing to maximize savings, explore career development opportunities, and pursue employer retirement plans consistently.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Okanogan County

via HealthByCounty

Okanogan faces state's bleakest health picture

Life expectancy in Okanogan County stands at just 76.0 years—the lowest in Washington and over 5 years below the U.S. average. Nearly one in four residents (22.4%) report poor or fair health, and 15.7% lack health insurance—both among the worst figures in the nation. These intersecting crises reveal profound economic hardship, healthcare collapse, and early mortality driven by preventable causes.

Okanogan ranks dead last in Washington health

Okanogan County's 76.0-year life expectancy is the lowest in Washington state, 2.1 years below the state average. Its 15.7% uninsured rate is nearly double Washington's 9.0% average—among the nation's highest uninsured rates. With 82 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, availability sounds reasonable on paper, but concentrated geography and cost barriers leave many without access.

Crisis-level health disparities vs. peers

Okanogan's 76.0-year life expectancy trails Klickitat (79.4) by 3.4 years and King County (81.1) by 5.1 years. Its 15.7% uninsured rate is more than 50% higher than any neighboring county, pointing to unique economic and population challenges. Primary care density at 82 per 100K appears adequate, but rural distribution and cost barriers prevent actual access for uninsured residents.

Uninsurance crisis blocks access despite providers

Okanogan's 15.7% uninsured rate—the state's highest—means roughly 1 in 6 residents lack coverage and face catastrophic costs for any medical care. Even with 82 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, uninsured patients avoid seeking care until conditions become emergencies, driving worse outcomes. Mental health providers at 357 per 100K remain inaccessible to those without insurance or income.

Coverage is your path to health and survival

If you're among Okanogan County's 15.7% uninsured, enrolling in health coverage today could save your life—go to Washington's health insurance marketplace immediately to explore free or low-cost plans based on your income. Coverage removes financial barriers to preventive care, prescriptions, and mental health support, breaking the cycle of emergency-only care. Financial hardship doesn't disqualify you; subsidies often make coverage free or near-free.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Okanogan County

via RiskByCounty

Okanogan County carries relatively moderate risk

Okanogan County's composite risk score of 89.19 ranks in the "Relatively Moderate" category, above the national average. The score reflects a significant hazard mix centered on wildfires and flooding, with notable earthquake exposure.

Above average risk across Washington

Okanogan County scores 89.19 against Washington's state average of 70.01, placing it among the state's higher-risk regions. This elevation is driven by extreme wildfire vulnerability across the county's expansive interior forests.

Okanogan shares risk with regional peers

Okanogan County (89.19) ranks similarly to Kittitas County (89.12) and Lewis County (89.69), forming a band of elevated hazard exposure across north-central and central Washington. All three counties face severe wildfire and earthquake threats.

Wildfire and flooding lead Okanogan's risks

Okanogan County faces extreme wildfire risk (99.30) affecting vast forested areas, plus severe flood exposure (89.12) from the Okanogan and Columbia Rivers. Earthquakes (86.23) pose a secondary hazard across the entire county, while tornadoes (6.65) are extremely rare.

Wildfire, flood, and earthquake coverage

Okanogan County residents should combine robust wildfire defensibility with comprehensive insurance: clear vegetation around homes, maintain gutters, and secure flood and earthquake policies to cover these dominant hazards. Properties near rivers or in forest zones face compounded risks requiring full coverage review.

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.