Cost of Living in Payne County, Oklahoma
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
How Payne County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
Data Story
About Cost of Living in Payne County, Oklahoma
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.
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Payne County
Rent Burden
22.6%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,142
per month
Owner Cost Burden
25.4%
of gross income
The median home in Payne County may be a stretch
Median home value is $217,700. Estimated monthly cost: $1,738 vs. your max of $1,142.
Rent Affordability Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
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See Today's RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023) — Informational only. Not financial or legal advice.