CountyScore

Osage County

Oklahoma · OK

#46 in Oklahoma
67.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Osage County, Oklahoma

Osage outpaces national average

Osage County's composite score of 67.3 sits 35% above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the upper third nationally. This strong performance reflects a county that offers better overall livability than most American counties on factors tracked by the CountyScore index.

Slightly below Oklahoma's midline

Osage ranks just below the Oklahoma state average composite score of 68.4, putting it in the middle tier among the state's 77 counties. The county is competitive within Oklahoma but doesn't lead the pack in overall livability.

Tax and housing affordability shine

Osage County excels with a tax score of 81.8 and cost score of 82.1, reflecting an effective tax rate of just 0.727% and median home values of $172,300. Housing is affordable, with median rent at $786/month, making it attractive for budget-conscious residents seeking low-cost living.

Income and risk scores lag

The county's income score of 22.9 reflects a median household income of $60,482, well below what many peers earn, and a risk score of just 21.9 indicates vulnerability to economic or environmental shocks. These lower dimensions suggest limited job growth or income-earning opportunities in the area.

Best for cost-conscious retirees

Osage County suits retirees, remote workers, and families prioritizing low taxes and affordable housing over high incomes or urban amenities. Its stable tax environment and modest cost of living make it ideal for those living on fixed or modest incomes who value financial predictability.

Score breakdown

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

Tax81.8Cost82.1SafetyComing SoonHealth63.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome22.9Risk21.9WaterComing Soon
🏛81.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠82.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼22.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤63.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡21.9
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 Osage County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Tuscaloosa County
Alabama
67.3
Median income: $63,947
Miller County
Arkansas
67.3
Median income: $49,983
Inyo County
California
67.3
Median income: $72,432
Cook County
Georgia
67.3
Median income: $50,133
Toombs County
Georgia
67.3
Median income: $54,130

Deep Dives

Osage County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Osage County

via TaxByCounty

Osage taxes rank low nationally

Osage County's effective tax rate of 0.727% sits well below the national median, where homeowners typically pay around $2,690 annually on a $281,900 home. At this rate, Osage residents pay roughly one-quarter what national averages suggest, placing the county in the bottom tier of U.S. property tax burdens.

Osage slightly above Oklahoma average

With a 0.727% effective rate, Osage County ranks slightly higher than Oklahoma's state average of 0.652%, meaning it's in the middle range among the state's 77 counties. The county's median tax of $1,253 exceeds the state median of $959, reflecting a modest premium compared to most Oklahoma neighbors.

Osage outpaces most northern neighbors

Osage's 0.727% rate sits between Pawnee County (0.695%) to the east and Payne County (0.865%) to the south. Among the region's five-county cluster, Osage ranks third—more expensive than Ottawa and Pittsburg but less costly than Payne.

Median Osage home costs $1,253 yearly

On the county's median home value of $172,300, homeowners pay approximately $1,253 in annual property taxes. For owners with a mortgage, total assessments rise to about $1,569; without a mortgage, the annual bill averages $961.

Many Osage homeowners can challenge assessments

Property tax overassessment is common across Oklahoma, and Osage County residents should review their assessment notices carefully. If your home's appraised value seems inflated compared to recent sales prices, filing an appeal with the county assessor's office could lower your annual bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Osage County

via CostByCounty

Osage County rents beat national affordability

Osage County residents spend 15.6% of household income on rent, well below the national norm and nearly matching the benchmark that housing experts consider affordable. With a median household income of $60,482—about 19% below the U.S. median of $74,755—renters here still enjoy stronger affordability than their national counterparts.

Best rent affordability in Oklahoma

Osage County's 15.6% rent-to-income ratio ranks among Oklahoma's most affordable counties, beating the state average of 17.0% by 1.4 percentage points. This advantage reflects both modest rental costs ($786/month vs. the state average of $814) and competitive household incomes.

Cheaper rents than surrounding counties

Osage County's median rent of $786 undercuts nearby Pawnee County ($872) and Payne County ($922), though it slightly trails Pontotoc County ($880). For renters prioritizing affordability, Osage offers stable housing costs without sacrificing access to regional amenities.

Balanced housing costs in Osage

Renters pay $786 monthly while homeowners invest $801 in mortgage costs, leaving the typical household with $5,040 left over each month after housing expenses. The median home value of $172,300 remains within reach for middle-income buyers looking to build equity.

Consider Osage for stable housing costs

If you're relocating to Oklahoma and prioritize affordability, Osage County delivers below-average rent ratios without the college-town premium of neighboring Payne County. Compare your household income against the $60,482 median to gauge your real purchasing power in this market.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Osage County

via IncomeByCounty

Osage income lags behind national median

Osage County's median household income of $60,482 falls $14,273 short of the national median of $74,755. This 19% gap reflects economic patterns across rural Oklahoma, though Osage performs better than many neighboring counties in the region.

Above-average earner in Oklahoma

At $60,482, Osage County's median household income ranks above Oklahoma's state average of $58,273, placing it among the stronger performers statewide. The county's per capita income of $32,096 also exceeds the state average of $30,609.

Osage outpaces most regional peers

Osage County earns $2,931 more per household than Pawnee County ($57,551) and significantly more than Pushmataha County ($44,634). Only Pontotoc County ($62,564) and Pottawatomie County ($60,828) match or exceed Osage's household income in the region.

Housing costs remain manageable here

Osage County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.6% sits comfortably below the 30% affordability threshold, meaning housing costs consume about $945 monthly for a median household. With a median home value of $172,300, homeownership remains within reach for many families.

Build financial security in Osage County

With stable housing costs and above-state-average income, Osage households are positioned to save and invest. Consider meeting with a financial advisor to discuss retirement planning, emergency funds, and wealth-building strategies tailored to rural Oklahoma's economic landscape.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Osage County

via HealthByCounty

Osage County outlives the nation

At 75.8 years, Osage County residents live nearly 2 years longer than the U.S. average of 76.4 years, suggesting better-than-typical health outcomes for rural Oklahoma. Yet one in five residents reports poor or fair health, tracking close to national trends around chronic disease and preventive care gaps.

Top 10% healthiest in Oklahoma

Osage County's 75.8-year life expectancy ranks among Oklahoma's best, beating the state average of 72.7 years by over 3 years. The county's 21.2% poor/fair health rate sits below state peers, signaling stronger overall wellness management.

Leading the northeastern tier

Compared to neighboring counties like Pawnee (71.4 years) and Payne (75.9 years), Osage County holds steady in the middle-to-upper range of life expectancy. Its 13.6% uninsured rate beats the state average of 15.3%, offering residents more consistent insurance coverage.

Primary care shortage, mental health lag

Osage County has just 18 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—well below the state and national benchmarks—making routine doctor visits harder to access. Mental health support is similarly sparse at 72 per 100,000, leaving many residents without nearby counselors or psychiatrists.

Keep your insurance advantage

With 13.6% of residents uninsured, Osage County does better than most of Oklahoma, but one in eight people still lack coverage. Check HealthCare.gov or contact your local health department to review plans—you may qualify for tax credits or Medicaid expansion coverage.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Osage County

via RiskByCounty

Osage faces above-average disaster risk nationally

Osage County's composite risk score of 78.09 places it in the relatively low category, but well above the nation's typical baseline. This reflects the county's particular vulnerability to wildfire and tornado hazards that characterize Oklahoma's natural disaster profile.

Higher risk than most Oklahoma counties

With a score of 78.09, Osage ranks significantly above Oklahoma's state average of 55.47, making it one of the state's more hazard-prone counties. The county's exposure to multiple simultaneous threats puts it in the upper tier of Oklahoma risk.

Among the highest-risk in northeast Oklahoma

Osage's score of 78.09 exceeds nearby Ottawa County (76.05) and Pawnee County (48.09), placing it as a regional risk leader. Its wildfire score of 94.75 is particularly acute compared to neighbors, though tornado exposure is shared across the region.

Wildfire and tornado threats dominate here

Osage's wildfire risk of 94.75 and tornado risk of 88.74 represent the county's most serious natural hazards, driven by grassland terrain and storm patterns. Flood risk at 75.10 also merits preparation, particularly for rural properties and those near waterways.

Secure wildfire and storm coverage now

Homeowners in Osage should verify that wind and hail coverage is included in their insurance policies given the 88.74 tornado risk. Consider additional wildfire coverage or defensible space improvements around structures, especially in rural or forested areas.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

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