Owyhee's composite score of 70.7 places it 21 points above the national median of 50.0, in the 71st percentile nationally. The county offers livability standards that outpace most American communities.
2 / 5
Slightly below Idaho's typical performance
Scoring 70.7 against Idaho's state average of 72.5, Owyhee County falls just slightly below the state baseline. It ranks in the lower-middle tier among Idaho counties.
3 / 5
Housing affordability is exceptional here
Owyhee County leads the group with a cost score of 80.8 and the lowest median rent at $771/month, offering unmatched housing affordability. The tax burden is also favorable with an effective rate of 0.481% and a tax score of 88.7.
4 / 5
Health and income require targeted improvement
The county's health score of 60.4 is the lowest among these eight counties, suggesting limited healthcare access or population health challenges. With a median household income of $59,773 and income score of 22.4, earning potential remains constrained.
5 / 5
Ideal for cost-conscious families in rural settings
Owyhee County suits families and individuals prioritizing ultra-low housing costs and minimal tax burden over robust healthcare infrastructure. This is an excellent choice for retirees on fixed incomes or remote workers willing to trade healthcare convenience for exceptional affordability.
Owyhee's composite score of 70.7 places it 21 points above the national median of 50.0, in the 71st percentile nationally. The county offers livability standards that outpace most American communities.
Slightly below Idaho's typical performance
Scoring 70.7 against Idaho's state average of 72.5, Owyhee County falls just slightly below the state baseline. It ranks in the lower-middle tier among Idaho counties.
Housing affordability is exceptional here
Owyhee County leads the group with a cost score of 80.8 and the lowest median rent at $771/month, offering unmatched housing affordability. The tax burden is also favorable with an effective rate of 0.481% and a tax score of 88.7.
Health and income require targeted improvement
The county's health score of 60.4 is the lowest among these eight counties, suggesting limited healthcare access or population health challenges. With a median household income of $59,773 and income score of 22.4, earning potential remains constrained.
Ideal for cost-conscious families in rural settings
Owyhee County suits families and individuals prioritizing ultra-low housing costs and minimal tax burden over robust healthcare infrastructure. This is an excellent choice for retirees on fixed incomes or remote workers willing to trade healthcare convenience for exceptional affordability.
Score breakdown
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🏛88.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Owyhee County's effective tax rate of 0.481% ranks in the bottom 20% nationally, well below the U.S. median of 0.71%. The median property tax of $1,355 is just 50% of the national median of $2,690—a $1,335 annual advantage.
Idaho's most tax-friendly county
Owyhee County's 0.481% effective rate is the lowest among Idaho's 44 counties, nearly 5% below the state average of 0.508%. The median tax of $1,355 is $174 below Idaho's state median of $1,529.
Lowest-taxing county in a competitive region
Owyhee County's 0.481% rate edges out Minidoka (0.518%), Oneida (0.513%), and Madison (0.497%), making it the region's most affordable. It dramatically undercuts Nez Perce County's 0.868%.
Median home costs just $1,355 yearly
On Owyhee County's median home value of $281,600, homeowners pay approximately $1,355 in annual property taxes. Mortgaged properties average $1,405 in taxes; non-mortgaged homes average $1,267.
Verify assessments even at low rates
Even in Idaho's lowest-taxing county, homeowners should confirm their property assessments are accurate and defensible. Contesting an overvaluation, if warranted, could provide modest but welcome additional savings.
Owyhee County's 15.5% rent-to-income ratio ranks among the nation's most affordable, with remarkably low rents of just $771 monthly. Though median household income lags the national average at $59,773, the combination of minimal rent and modest living costs creates genuine affordability.
Idaho's most affordable county
Owyhee County boasts the state's lowest rent-to-income ratio at 15.5%, with median rents of $771—$148 below the state average of $919. This rural county punches above its weight in affordability, making it Idaho's best bargain for renters.
Lowest rents in the region
Owyhee's $771 monthly rent is the cheapest in our eight-county comparison, undercutting even Power County's $729 by accounting for affordability. Median home values of $281,600 offer reasonable buying options relative to the $59,773 median income.
Minimal housing burden, maximum value
Renters spend just $771 monthly while homeowners pay $908, with median home values at $281,600. At a 15.5% rent-to-income ratio, Owyhee residents enjoy the lowest housing cost burden in our region—a genuine advantage for tight budgets.
Rural charm meets real affordability
If housing costs are your priority, Owyhee County delivers the region's best value with rents far below state average and manageable homebuying options. Relocating here means your paycheck stretches further, freeing resources for other priorities.
Owyhee County's median household income of $59,773 falls 20% below the national median of $74,755. The county reflects the income challenges of rural, agriculture-dependent regions.
Below Idaho average but stable
At $59,773, Owyhee trails Idaho's state average of $65,770 by $5,997, ranking in the lower-middle tier of Idaho's 44 counties. The county's economy remains tied to ranching and natural resources.
Similar to Madison, above Power County
Owyhee's $59,773 closely mirrors Madison County's $58,259 and exceeds Power County's $59,760 by just $13. The three neighboring counties form a cluster of lower-middle-income areas in southwestern Idaho.
Low rent burden supports renters
Owyhee's 15.5% rent-to-income ratio is well below the 20% stress threshold, making it affordable for renters. However, a median home value of $281,600 presents a stretch for median-income households seeking to buy.
Strategic savings unlock long-term security
Owyhee County families earning $59,773 should prioritize building emergency savings of 3–6 months expenses before investing. Even modest contributions of $50–100 monthly to retirement accounts compound meaningfully over time.
At 75.2 years, Owyhee County residents live 2.3 years shorter than the U.S. average of 77.5 years. With 20.4% reporting poor or fair health, the county faces serious wellness challenges and the lowest primary care provider density at just 8 per 100K.
Idaho's most underserved health landscape
Owyhee County's 75.2-year life expectancy ranks among Idaho's lowest, trailing the state average of 77.5 years by 2.3 years. At 16.6% uninsured—the state's highest—Owyhee struggles with both access and coverage challenges.
Owyhee lags peers across every metric
Owyhee County's 75.2-year life expectancy trails all neighboring counties, including Owyhee's comparison to Payette (77.2 years) and Power (77.9 years). With only 8 primary care and 16 mental health providers per 100K, Owyhee faces a critical provider shortage.
Severe provider scarcity, high uninsured rate
Owyhee County's 16.6% uninsured rate is the state's highest, while primary care providers number just 8 per 100K—far below any peer county. With only 16 mental health providers per 100K, behavioral health care is nearly inaccessible, creating a perfect storm of access barriers.
Owyhee residents: coverage is urgent
At 16.6% uninsured, more than one in six Owyhee County residents lack health coverage—a crisis requiring immediate action. Visit healthcare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE to explore options, and consider telehealth to overcome the county's provider shortage.
Owyhee County's composite risk score of 44.12 exceeds the national average and carries a "Relatively Low" rating, indicating moderate but manageable disaster exposure. While not among the nation's riskiest counties, residents should remain vigilant about natural hazards that affect the region.
Above-average risk statewide
With a score of 44.12, Owyhee County ranks above Idaho's state average of 38.51, placing it in the state's higher-risk tier. This elevation reflects the county's particular vulnerability to wildfires and floods, hazards that shape the region's disaster profile.
Owyhee's wildfire risk dominates Southwest Idaho
Owyhee County's 44.12 score ranks higher than nearby Payette County (17.11) but below Madison County (58.62), establishing it as a moderate-risk zone in the region. The county's wildfire risk of 95.80 stands out as Idaho's highest, reflecting its arid landscape and dense sagebrush vegetation.
Extreme wildfire risk shapes county exposure
Owyhee County faces a wildfire risk score of 95.80—the highest in Idaho—due to vast expanses of sagebrush and grassland that burn readily and rapidly, especially in late summer. Flood risk at 58.72 presents a secondary concern, as desert storms can trigger flash flooding in canyons and low-lying areas.
Wildfire insurance is critical here
With Idaho's highest wildfire risk at 95.80, Owyhee County homeowners must ensure their insurance explicitly covers wildfire damage and maintain extensive defensible space—clearing vegetation 100+ feet from structures. Additionally, residents in flood-prone canyons and washes should evaluate flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program, particularly in areas with historical flooding.