Pushmataha County

Oklahoma · OK

#16 in Oklahoma
71.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Pushmataha County, Oklahoma

Pushmataha leads among these eight

Pushmataha County's composite score of 71.5 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 43%, ranking it in the top quartile nationally. This outstanding performance positions Pushmataha among the nation's most livable counties.

Second-best in Oklahoma

Pushmataha's score of 71.5 leads all eight counties in this analysis and surpasses Oklahoma's state average of 68.4. This makes it one of the state's top-performing counties overall.

Exceptional tax and cost values

Pushmataha boasts the lowest effective tax rate in Oklahoma at 0.413% (tax score: 90.6) and the highest cost score of 89.5 in this cohort. Median rent of $620/month and home values of $116,800 offer unmatched affordability, along with a risk score of 67.2—second-best in the group.

Income and health lag significantly

The income score of 12.5—the lowest among these counties—reflects a median household income of just $44,634. A health score of 49.4 also indicates the weakest healthcare outcomes in this cohort.

Perfect for budget-maximizing retirees

Pushmataha County is unmatched for retirees, remote workers, and anyone prioritizing minimal living costs and tax burden above all else. Its exceptional affordability and resilience make it ideal for those on fixed modest incomes who can accept limited healthcare and income options.

Score breakdown

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

Tax90.6Cost89.5SafetyComing SoonHealth49.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome12.5Risk67.2WaterComing Soon
🏛90.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠89.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼12.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
49.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
67.2
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Pushmataha County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Pushmataha County

via TaxByCounty

Pushmataha has one of America's lowest rates

Pushmataha County's 0.413% effective tax rate ranks among the absolute lowest in the United States, roughly one-sixth what the national median property tax burden represents. This exceptionally low rate makes Pushmataha one of the most tax-advantaged counties in America.

Pushmataha ranks lowest in Oklahoma

At 0.413%, Pushmataha County has the lowest effective rate in Oklahoma, running 37% below the state average of 0.652%. The county's median tax of $483 is the cheapest in the state, nearly half the statewide median of $959.

Pushmataha leads the state in tax affordability

Pushmataha's 0.413% rate is the absolute lowest among all five-county clusters examined, beating even Pittsburg County (0.517%) significantly. No other county in the state offers a lower tax burden, making Pushmataha the undisputed most affordable county in Oklahoma.

Median Pushmataha home costs just $483 yearly

On Pushmataha County's median home value of $116,800, property owners pay approximately $483 in annual property taxes—the lowest in Oklahoma. With a mortgage, the bill rises to $685; without one, annual costs average just $400.

Even ultra-low-tax counties benefit from appeals

Pushmataha's exceptional affordability makes it a tremendous value for homeowners, yet assessment errors still occur here as well. Review your county appraised value against recent comparable sales in your area; if yours is inflated, filing an appeal with the assessor could save you additional dollars annually.

Cost of Living in Pushmataha County

via CostByCounty

Pushmataha County delivers exceptional rent affordability

Pushmataha County renters spend just 16.7% of household income on rent, staying within reasonable affordability despite the county's low median household income of $44,634—40% below the national average. The county achieves this through the lowest rental costs ($620/month) in this entire group.

Below-average affordability burden statewide

Pushmataha County's 16.7% rent-to-income ratio beats Oklahoma's 17.0% state average by 0.3 percentage points, ranking it among the most affordable counties despite having the lowest household incomes. The county's exceptionally low rents ($620) more than compensate for tight earnings.

Cheapest rents, lowest incomes

Pushmataha's $620 median rent is 20-30% cheaper than peer counties, and while the $44,634 median income is lowest in this group, the ratio still works in renters' favor. This county offers true affordability for low-income households seeking a rural Oklahoma option.

Strongest affordability for renters

Renters spend just $620 monthly (16.7% of income), while homeowners pay $523, making both tenure types highly affordable by any standard. The median home value of $116,800 is among the lowest, allowing entry-level buyers to invest minimal capital.

Pushmataha suits budget-conscious movers

If affordability is your top priority and you're willing to embrace rural Oklahoma, Pushmataha County delivers the lowest housing costs in this entire analysis. Your actual affordability will depend on local job availability, so research employment options carefully before relocating to this deeply rural county.

Income & Jobs in Pushmataha County

via IncomeByCounty

Pushmataha faces significant income gap nationally

Pushmataha County's median household income of $44,634 falls $30,121 short of the national median of $74,755—a 40% gap marking it among Oklahoma's lowest-earning counties. Rural southeastern Oklahoma faces sustained economic headwinds.

Oklahoma's lower-income counties

Pushmataha County's median household income of $44,634 trails Oklahoma's state average of $58,273 by $13,639, ranking it among the state's lowest performers. Per capita income of $25,596 also significantly lags the state average of $30,609.

Lowest-earning county in this region

Pushmataha County ($44,634) earns substantially less than all peer counties, lagging nearest competitor Ottawa ($48,656) by $4,022 and trailing Pontotoc ($62,564) by $17,930. Economic diversification remains a priority for the county.

Lower costs offset limited income gains

Pushmataha County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.7% means housing costs consume roughly $625 monthly for a median household, the lowest in this regional group. Median home values of $116,800 provide affordable homeownership but reflect limited local wealth accumulation.

Build financial resilience in Pushmataha County

With the lowest median income in this region, Pushmataha households must prioritize budgeting, emergency savings, and debt management. Connect with nonprofit credit counseling, USDA rural development programs, and local workforce initiatives to create pathways toward financial stability.

Health in Pushmataha County

via HealthByCounty

Pushmataha County faces severe health crisis

At 68.6 years, Pushmataha County residents live nearly 8 years shorter than the U.S. average of 76.4 years—one of the lowest life expectancies in rural America. More than one in four residents reports poor or fair health, signaling severe chronic disease burden and critical healthcare access failures.

Worst health outcomes in Oklahoma

Pushmataha County ranks dead last in Oklahoma for life expectancy, trailing the state average of 72.7 years by over 4 years. Its 27.1% poor/fair health rate is the state's highest, marking a public health emergency requiring urgent intervention.

Regional health crisis zone

Pushmataha County's 68.6-year life expectancy falls nearly 7 years below county leaders Osage and Payne, creating a stark regional divide. The 16.1% uninsured rate also sits above state average, leaving vulnerable residents without financial or healthcare protection.

Mental health paradox masks primary care failure

Pushmataha County has an exceptionally high 1,028 mental health providers per 100,000—likely inflated by regional reporting—yet only 19 primary care providers per 100,000, creating a dangerous gap. Without accessible primary care to diagnose and manage chronic diseases, even robust mental health services cannot reverse the county's severe health decline.

Coverage is urgent and available

One in six Pushmataha County residents lacks health insurance in a county facing the state's worst health crisis, creating a vicious cycle of delayed care and early mortality. Call 1-800-318-2596 or visit HealthCare.gov immediately—insurance is the first step toward accessing the primary care and preventive services your community desperately needs.

Disaster Risk in Pushmataha County

via RiskByCounty

Pushmataha among America's lowest-risk counties

Pushmataha County's composite risk score of 32.79 places it in the very low category and well below the national average. This makes Pushmataha one of Oklahoma's safest counties overall, though localized wildfire exposure remains a consideration.

Oklahoma's lowest-risk county assessed here

At 32.79, Pushmataha's composite score falls dramatically below Oklahoma's state average of 55.47, making it the safest county in this group. The county benefits from reduced tornado and earthquake exposure that characterizes much of the state.

Significantly safer than surrounding counties

Pushmataha's score of 32.79 is substantially lower than all nearby counties, including Pontotoc (62.91), Pittsburg (73.28), and Pottawatomie (82.32). The county represents a notably safer zone in southeast Oklahoma.

Wildfire is the primary concern here

Pushmataha's wildfire risk of 88.71 stands out as its most significant hazard despite the county's overall very low risk rating. Tornado risk at 54.58 and flood risk at 36.07 are substantially lower and represent manageable secondary concerns.

Focus on wildfire protection and standard coverage

Pushmataha County residents should prioritize wildfire prevention through defensible space management and ensure adequate wildfire coverage in their homeowners insurance. Standard comprehensive homeowners insurance should address the county's other relatively modest risks from tornadoes and flooding.

ByCounty Network

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