Woods County's composite score of 73.2 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 46%, ranking it among the most livable counties in the nation. Strong tax and cost metrics, combined with reasonable risk management, drive this impressive showing.
2 / 5
Above State Average, Among Top Counties
Woods County scores 73.2, meaningfully above Oklahoma's state average of 68.4, placing it among the state's best-performing counties for livability. It ranks higher than four of the five counties profiled here despite having the lowest median income.
3 / 5
Exceptional Tax and Housing Value
Woods achieves the highest tax score of 87.8 with the state's lowest effective tax rate at 0.515%, and offers a cost score of 82.0 with median home values of $141,900. Monthly rents averaging $806 represent outstanding affordability across all housing types.
4 / 5
Lowest Income Levels in the Group
Woods County's income score of 16.4 and median household income of $50,512 are the lowest among these five counties, limiting earning potential for residents. Health outcomes at 66.2 are adequate but not exceptional, indicating room for wellness improvement.
5 / 5
Best for Minimal-Income, Maximum-Savings Living
Woods County suits retirees on fixed income, remote workers earning above-local wages, and families with very limited financial resources who need maximum affordability. It's the ultimate low-cost haven for those who can sustain themselves through external income streams.
Woods County's composite score of 73.2 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 46%, ranking it among the most livable counties in the nation. Strong tax and cost metrics, combined with reasonable risk management, drive this impressive showing.
Above State Average, Among Top Counties
Woods County scores 73.2, meaningfully above Oklahoma's state average of 68.4, placing it among the state's best-performing counties for livability. It ranks higher than four of the five counties profiled here despite having the lowest median income.
Exceptional Tax and Housing Value
Woods achieves the highest tax score of 87.8 with the state's lowest effective tax rate at 0.515%, and offers a cost score of 82.0 with median home values of $141,900. Monthly rents averaging $806 represent outstanding affordability across all housing types.
Lowest Income Levels in the Group
Woods County's income score of 16.4 and median household income of $50,512 are the lowest among these five counties, limiting earning potential for residents. Health outcomes at 66.2 are adequate but not exceptional, indicating room for wellness improvement.
Best for Minimal-Income, Maximum-Savings Living
Woods County suits retirees on fixed income, remote workers earning above-local wages, and families with very limited financial resources who need maximum affordability. It's the ultimate low-cost haven for those who can sustain themselves through external income streams.
Score breakdown
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🏛87.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Woods County's effective tax rate of 0.515% ranks in the bottom 10% nationally, far below the 0.67% median. Though the median annual tax is $731, the county's low rate on modest-valued homes ($141,900) delivers genuine affordability compared to the national median of $2,690.
Woods ranks lowest statewide
Woods County holds Oklahoma's lowest effective property tax rate at 0.515%, undercutting the state average of 0.652%. Its median tax of $731 trails the state median of $959 by 24%, making it a rare tax haven in Oklahoma.
Woods ties Washita for region's best deal
Woods County's 0.515% effective rate matches Washita as the region's lowest, beating Woodward (0.621%), Wagoner (0.812%), and Washington (0.935%) by wide margins. Residents enjoy the region's most tax-friendly environment, though home values remain modest.
Median home: $141.9K costs $731 yearly
A typical Woods County home valued at $141,900 generates an annual property tax bill of $731. With a mortgage, expect $1,215; without one, homeowners pay just $478—reflecting the county's rock-bottom effective rate.
Low rates don't eliminate appeal opportunities
Even in Oklahoma's most tax-friendly county, assessment errors occur and properties are sometimes overvalued. If you believe your Woods County home is overassessed, an appeal could recover several hundred dollars over time—contact the county assessor to check your assessment.
Woods County's rent-to-income ratio of 19.1% is notably above the national standard, reflecting tight affordability for renters. With the region's lowest median household income at $50,512—32% below the national median—residents here face real housing pressure.
Oklahoma's most stressed housing market
At 19.1%, Woods County's rent-to-income ratio is the highest among all comparison counties and exceeds Oklahoma's state average of 17.0% by a significant margin. This county faces the toughest affordability challenge in the region we're analyzing.
Woods County's affordability crisis tops the region
Woods County's 19.1% rent-to-income ratio is substantially worse than any peer: Washita (15.0%), Woodward (15.6%), Wagoner (16.1%), and Washington (17.7%). The combination of the lowest incomes and above-average rents creates a genuine affordability squeeze.
Housing dominates Woods County budgets
Median gross rent is $806 monthly, while homeowners pay $783—nearly equivalent costs for both renters and buyers. Against the state's lowest median household income of just $50,512 annually ($4,210 monthly), housing consumes nearly one-fifth of household earnings, the highest burden in our comparison.
Woods County demands careful financial planning
With the region's tightest affordability ratio and lowest incomes, Woods County is best suited for buyers seeking cheap homes (median $141,900) or those with stable, above-average earnings. If you're relocating with modest income, seriously compare options in Washita or Woodward first.
Woods County's median household income of $50,512 falls $24,243 below the national median of $74,755, placing it among the lowest-earning counties in America. This substantial gap reflects severe economic challenges in this rural panhandle county.
Lowest income in Oklahoma
Woods County's median household income of $50,512 trails Oklahoma's state average of $58,273 by $7,761, making it one of the state's lowest-earning counties. The gap underscores the county's economic struggles relative to even Oklahoma's modest statewide income levels.
Significantly behind all peers
Woods County's median income of $50,512 lags every neighboring county profiled here, falling $11,548 below Wagoner County and $10,000 below Washita County. The county faces the region's most challenging economic conditions by a considerable margin.
Housing strains household budgets
Woods County's rent-to-income ratio of 19.1% is the highest among these five counties, placing housing costs under greater strain on household finances. With a median home value of $141,900, housing represents a larger economic burden relative to the county's modest median income.
Maximize limited resources wisely
Woods County households must prioritize essential expenses and build emergency savings before pursuing investments, given tighter financial margins. Local nonprofit organizations and county extension offices often offer free financial literacy programs—valuable resources for households managing tight budgets.
Woods County's life expectancy of 76.0 years exceeds the national average of 74.5 years by 1.5 years, with just 18.8% reporting poor or fair health versus 19% nationally. These figures reflect strong preventive care practices and chronic disease management across the county.
Woods ranks among Oklahoma's healthiest
At 76.0 years, Woods County residents live 3.3 years longer than Oklahoma's state average of 72.7 years, placing it among the state's health leaders. The low poor/fair health rate of 18.8% demonstrates effective disease prevention and health promotion.
Woods offers exceptional provider access
Woods County leads all peer counties with 58 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and an impressive 420 mental health providers per 100,000—the highest in the region. This robust healthcare infrastructure enables residents to access care locally without long travels.
Low uninsured rate supports health equity
Just 12.6% of Woods County residents lack health insurance, just slightly above Oklahoma's 15.3% average and well-managed through the county's strong provider network. High insurance penetration combined with abundant providers means most residents can get timely, preventive care.
Keep that advantage—maintain your coverage
While Woods County has one of Oklahoma's lowest uninsured rates, 12.6% of residents still go without coverage. If you're among them, visit HealthCare.gov to secure insurance and keep Woods County's health advantage strong.
Woods County scores just 28.09 on composite risk, achieving a Very Low rating and ranking among America's safest counties by natural disaster exposure. The score reflects minimal vulnerability across nearly all major hazard categories. Compared to national averages, Woods residents benefit from dramatically lower natural disaster risk than typical U.S. counties.
Oklahoma's lowest-risk county profile
Woods County's 28.09 composite score sits far below Oklahoma's state average of 55.47, placing it among the state's safest regions for natural disaster exposure. The county ranks as one of Oklahoma's most favorable locations from a hazard perspective. Woods residents enjoy below-average vulnerability statewide across all major threat categories.
Safest in this five-county group
Woods County scores 28.09, the lowest composite risk among all five counties and substantially safer than Washita (31.93), Woodward (41.63), Wagoner (73.25), and Washington (76.11). The county represents a regional low point for natural disaster exposure. Residents benefit from notably better risk profiles than surrounding communities.
Wildfire is only notable hazard
Wildfire risk (74.68) is the only meaningful natural disaster threat in Woods County, likely driven by grassland management and seasonal conditions. Tornado risk (33.56) remains well below state norms, and flood, earthquake, and hurricane risks all register as minimal. Seasonal wildfire awareness is the primary hazard management priority.
Basic homeowners insurance is adequate
Woods County homeowners can rely on standard homeowners insurance policies without specialized riders, given the county's exceptional 28.09 composite risk score. Property maintenance focused on defensible space during wildfire season offers greater protection than premium increases. Annual policy review ensures adequate coverage, but no extraordinary measures are necessary.