CountyScore

Payne County

Oklahoma · OK

#74 in Oklahoma
63.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Payne County, Oklahoma

Payne exceeds national livability

Payne County's composite score of 63.3 surpasses the national median of 50.0 by 27%, placing it in the upper-middle range nationally. This indicates stronger livability than the majority of U.S. counties.

Below Oklahoma's middle ground

Payne's score of 63.3 falls below Oklahoma's average of 68.4, ranking it in the lower half of the state's 77 counties. The county underperforms compared to most of its Oklahoma neighbors.

Health outcomes lead the way

Payne County boasts a health score of 63.5, the highest among these eight counties, indicating strong healthcare quality and outcomes. The effective tax rate of 0.865%, while higher than neighbors, still remains reasonable for residents.

Affordability and income both strain

With a cost score of 76.0 and median home values of $217,700—the highest in this cohort—Payne presents affordability challenges for modest earners. An income score of 15.3 and median income of $48,937 mean incomes haven't kept pace with housing costs.

For healthcare-focused professionals

Payne County best suits healthcare workers, university employees, and others seeking strong health services and a college-town atmosphere willing to pay more for housing. It appeals to those who prioritize health outcomes and community amenities over budget minimization.

Score breakdown

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

Tax77.9Cost76SafetyComing SoonHealth63.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome15.3Risk16.1WaterComing Soon
🏛77.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠76
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼15.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤63.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡16.1
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 Payne County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

New Castle County
Delaware
63.3
Median income: $89,901
Okeechobee County
Florida
63.3
Median income: $52,288
Troup County
Georgia
63.3
Median income: $54,905
Sumner County
Kansas
63.3
Median income: $60,348
Otsego County
New York
63.3
Median income: $67,086

Deep Dives

Payne County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Payne County

via TaxByCounty

Payne carries Oklahoma's highest tax rate

Payne County's 0.865% effective tax rate is the highest in Oklahoma and still remains well below the national median property tax burden. Even at this premium level, Payne homeowners pay roughly one-third what the typical American household pays in property taxes.

Payne ranks highest across Oklahoma

Payne County's 0.865% rate significantly exceeds Oklahoma's 0.652% state average, making it the costliest county in the state by effective rate. The county's median tax of $1,884 nearly doubles the state median of $959, reflecting the highest burden statewide.

Payne taxes significantly outpace the region

Payne's 0.865% rate towers over its four northern neighbors: Osage (0.727%), Pawnee (0.695%), Ottawa (0.619%), and Pittsburg (0.517%). This makes Payne a notable outlier in the five-county cluster, with tax costs 33% higher than the regional median.

Median Payne home costs $1,884 yearly

On Payne County's median home value of $217,700, property owners pay approximately $1,884 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, costs rise to $2,119; without one, the annual bill averages $1,451.

Payne residents have the most to gain from appeals

Given Payne's higher tax rates, assessment accuracy becomes even more critical—an overvalued property here costs substantially more than elsewhere in Oklahoma. Carefully review your assessment notice; if your appraised value seems inflated relative to recent market sales, file an appeal with the county assessor to potentially recover hundreds annually.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Payne County

via CostByCounty

Payne County faces significant affordability strain

Payne County renters spend 22.6% of household income on rent—well above the 15% affordability benchmark and among the most strained in these counties. The median household income of $48,937 sits 35% below the national average, making rental costs genuinely burdensome for typical families.

Oklahoma's least affordable rental market

Payne County's 22.6% rent-to-income ratio dramatically exceeds Oklahoma's 17.0% state average, marking it as the state's least-affordable county in this analysis. The combination of the highest median rents ($922/month) and lowest incomes creates the region's most severe housing affordability crisis.

Highest rents, lowest incomes

Payne County's $922 median rent surpasses all peer counties while its $48,937 household income ties for the lowest, creating a perfect affordability storm. Renters here pay roughly $100-150 more monthly than neighbors in Osage, Ottawa, or Pontotoc counties.

Renters squeezed hardest in Payne

Renters spend $922 monthly (22.6% of income) while homeowners pay $1,035—the only county where mortgages exceed rents. The median home value of $217,700 is highest in this group, suggesting college-town demand (Stillwater) inflates prices beyond local incomes.

Payne County carries real affordability risks

If relocating to Payne County, carefully assess whether your income exceeds the $48,937 median; renters here face cost-burden pressures not seen in neighboring counties. College-town dynamics in Stillwater drive higher home values, so weigh whether local job prospects justify the housing premium.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Payne County

via IncomeByCounty

Payne income below national median despite college town

Payne County's median household income of $48,937 lags the national median of $74,755 by $25,818—a 35% gap driven partly by Stillwater's large student population. Yet Payne's college economy supports above-average home values at $217,700.

Lower income but higher housing costs

Payne County's median household income of $48,937 trails Oklahoma's state average of $58,273 by $9,336, placing it among lower-earning counties. However, its median home value of $217,700 is the highest in this region, reflecting Stillwater's demand.

Payne trades income for housing demand

Payne County's $48,937 household income ranks lowest among this county group, but its median home value of $217,700 far exceeds neighbors like Ottawa ($114,300) and Pittsburg ($146,300). This reflects Stillwater's appeal as a college and regional hub.

Housing costs stretch household budgets significantly

Payne County's rent-to-income ratio of 22.6% is the highest in this region, meaning housing consumes roughly $1,158 monthly for a median household—approaching affordability pressure. The gap between median income and median home value creates particular challenges for first-time buyers.

Navigate Payne County's unique income-housing dynamic

Payne households face the challenge of lower incomes paired with higher housing costs, making smart financial planning essential. Explore down payment assistance programs, first-time homebuyer incentives, and employer benefits through Stillwater's institutions to build sustainable wealth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Payne County

via HealthByCounty

Payne County achieves strong life expectancy

Payne County residents live 75.9 years on average, nearly matching the U.S. life expectancy of 76.4 years—a notable achievement for rural Oklahoma. Only 19.9% report poor or fair health, among the lowest rates in the state and well below national averages.

Oklahoma's healthiest county

Payne County ranks among the healthiest in Oklahoma, with life expectancy 3.2 years above the state average of 72.7 years. Its 19.9% poor/fair health rate stands as one of the state's lowest, reflecting strong health management and lower chronic disease burden.

Regional leader in health outcomes

Payne County's 75.9-year life expectancy leads neighboring Pawnee (71.4 years) and Osage (75.8 years), making it the northeast region's health champion. With 14.4% uninsured residents, Payne also beats state average, ensuring more people have access to preventive and routine care.

Strong provider network supports outcomes

Payne County has 46 primary care providers per 100,000—among the highest in rural Oklahoma—enabling accessible preventive care and chronic disease management. With 342 mental health providers per 100,000, the county supports robust mental health services, contributing to overall wellness.

Maintain your health advantage

While 14.4% of Payne County residents remain uninsured, the county's strong provider network means coverage is achievable and affordable. Visit HealthCare.gov or call your local health department to enroll—staying insured keeps you connected to the providers driving these strong health outcomes.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Payne County

via RiskByCounty

Payne faces elevated national disaster risk

Payne County's composite risk score of 83.94 places it in the relatively moderate category, well above the national average and among the nation's higher-risk counties. This reflects particularly acute tornado and wildfire exposure across the county.

Among Oklahoma's highest-risk counties

At 83.94, Payne's composite score significantly exceeds Oklahoma's state average of 55.47, ranking it among the state's most hazard-prone counties. The county's risk is driven by exceptionally high tornado and wildfire exposure.

Clear regional risk leader in central Oklahoma

Payne's score of 83.94 places it ahead of nearby Pottawatomie County (82.32) and well above Pontotoc County (62.91) and Pushmataha County (32.79). Payne stands as the highest-risk county in its immediate region.

Tornadoes and wildfires create compound threat

Payne County faces an extraordinary tornado risk of 94.72 and wildfire risk of 89.60—among Oklahoma's highest in both categories. Flood risk at 67.62 adds a third significant concern, particularly during spring storm season.

Invest in comprehensive multi-hazard coverage

Payne County residents face multiple serious threats and should carry comprehensive homeowners insurance with explicit wind/hail, wildfire, and flood coverage. Consider a separate flood policy, maintain defensible space around structures, and identify safe shelter locations for tornadoes.

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.