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Quality of Life in Garfield County
A livable area that tracks near national norms for affordability, walkability, and neighborhood health.
What does Quality of Life tell us?
Quality of Life measures an area by evaluating factors like cost of living, nearby amenities, country club access, airport proximity, socioeconomic signals and neighborhood character. For large states, this is a general average — quality of life can vary dramatically between metro areas, suburbs, and rural communities within the same state.
What does this tell us?
Quality of Life measures an area by evaluating factors like cost of living, nearby amenities, country club access, airport proximity, socioeconomic signals and neighborhood character. For large states, this is a general average — quality of life can vary dramatically between metro areas, suburbs, and rural communities within the same state.
Cost of Living
32% below national average
157%
The Real Cost of Living in Garfield County for 2026
| Tier | Individual | Family (4) |
|---|---|---|
| Survival | $15k | $27k |
| Comfortable | $29k | $43k |
| Luxury | $112k+ | $174k+ |
| Elite (Top 5%) | $132k+ | $204k+ |
Quality-of-Life Analysis
Garfield County, Oklahoma, offers a broad spectrum of living environments, from the regional hub of Enid to quiet, unincorporated crossroads and working farmsteads. The county’s character shifts noticeably as you move from its central city outward, attracting a mix of professionals, agricultural workers, and retirees seeking either urban amenities or deep rural solitude. With a cost of living index of 68 — well below the national average of 100 — the county provides significant financial breathing room, though the trade-offs in services and entertainment vary dramatically by location.
Largest town(s) & population centers
Enid is the undisputed population and economic center of Garfield County, home to roughly 50,000 residents and the county seat. Daily life here revolves around a mix of regional healthcare (Integris Bass Baptist Health Center, St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center), manufacturing (AdvancePierre Foods, a major employer), and the Vance Air Force Base, which anchors a significant military and civilian workforce. Enid offers the most comprehensive set of amenities in the county, including a regional mall, multiple grocery chains, a downtown historic district with local restaurants, and public schools like Enid High School that serve a diverse student body. The city also hosts the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center and the Enid Symphony Orchestra, providing cultural outlets rare for a town this size. Commute times here average around 18 minutes, consistent with the countywide figure of 18.3 minutes, making for a manageable daily drive.
Smaller towns & rural pockets
Outside Enid, the county’s smaller communities each have distinct identities. Waukomis (pop. ~1,300) sits just north of Enid and functions largely as a bedroom community, with a quiet downtown and a strong agricultural base. Drummond (pop. ~450) is a classic Oklahoma farm town, with a grain elevator and a single main street, offering a slower pace and direct access to surrounding wheat fields. Breckinridge (unincorporated) and Carrier (pop. ~80) represent the most rural end of the spectrum — these are places where homes sit on acreage, the nearest grocery store may be a 15-minute drive, and residents rely on well water and septic systems. The unincorporated area of Hayward is similarly sparse, with a handful of homes scattered along county roads. These pockets attract people who prioritize privacy, land, and low property taxes over convenience.
Cost & lifestyle range
The cost of living in Garfield County is uniformly low by national standards, but the range of housing and lifestyle options is real. At the lower end, a small home or rental in rural areas like Carrier or Breckinridge can be found for well under the county median home value of $149,800, with some older farmhouses selling for $60,000–$80,000. Rent in these areas may dip below the county median of $915, especially for mobile homes or older properties. At the higher end, Enid’s newer subdivisions — such as those near the Oakwood Country Club or along the west side — feature homes in the $250,000–$400,000 range, offering modern finishes and shorter commutes to jobs and schools. The lifestyle trade-off is clear: Enid provides walkable neighborhoods, parks, and a hospital within 10 minutes, while rural areas demand self-reliance, longer drives for supplies, and acceptance of limited internet options (though fiber is expanding in some pockets). Property taxes remain low countywide, typically under 1% of assessed value, which is a consistent draw for both ends of the spectrum.
Who thrives in Garfield County? The county suits people who value affordability and space over urban density. Military families stationed at Vance Air Force Base often find Enid’s housing costs and commute times a relief compared to larger bases. Agricultural workers and retirees who want to own land without a mortgage find the rural areas appealing. Professionals in healthcare, education, or manufacturing will gravitate toward Enid for its job base and amenities. The county is less suited for those seeking nightlife, high-end dining, or rapid career growth outside of a few sectors — but for anyone prioritizing financial stability, short commutes, and a choice between small-city convenience and genuine rural quiet, Garfield County delivers a clear, practical range of options.
Crime in Garfield County
Crime rates similar to the national median for U.S. locations.
Violent CrimeViolent Crime Analysis
Property CrimeProperty Crime Analysis
Crime Analysis
Garfield County, Oklahoma, presents a mixed safety picture that demands careful attention from potential residents. The county's violent crime rate of 409.6 incidents per 100,000 residents and property crime rate of 1,833.2 per 100,000 place it above both state and national averages, with specific towns and judicial policies contributing to the overall risk profile. Understanding where these crimes concentrate and how local law enforcement and prosecution operate is essential for anyone evaluating relocation to Enid, the county seat, or its surrounding communities.
Crime in context
Garfield County's violent crime rate is 17% higher than the Oklahoma state average and roughly 15% above the national median, a gap that has widened since 2020. The property crime rate, while elevated, is closer to the state norm but still exceeds the national figure by approximately 10%. The city of Enid, which contains roughly 70% of the county's population, drives these numbers — particularly in its central and eastern neighborhoods near the downtown corridor and along Van Buren Street. Smaller towns like Waukomis and Covington report significantly lower per-capita crime, though their small populations mean a single incident can skew annual statistics. The county's proximity to the Oklahoma City metro area (roughly 90 miles south) does not appear to spill over significantly, as Garfield County's crime patterns are more tied to local economic conditions and drug-related offenses than to metropolitan crime migration.
What residents experience
Residents in Garfield County most frequently encounter property crimes — theft, burglary, and motor vehicle theft — which account for over 80% of reported incidents. Vehicle break-ins and package theft are common complaints in Enid's newer subdivisions like Oakwood Addition and near the Oakwood Mall area. Violent crime, while less frequent, is concentrated in specific zones: aggravated assaults make up the majority, often linked to domestic disputes or alcohol-fueled altercations in the downtown bar district. Robbery and homicide are rare but not unheard of, with Enid recording 2-3 homicides annually in recent years. A critical factor for public safety is the judicial philosophy of the district. Garfield County falls under the 4th Judicial District, which includes progressive-leaning judges in nearby Kingfisher and Woodward counties. This regional influence has led to concerns among residents about lenient sentencing for repeat property offenders and drug-related crimes, with some offenders cycling through the system quickly — a pattern that undermines deterrence and frustrates victims. The Garfield County District Attorney's Office, however, has maintained a relatively tough stance on violent crime, which helps keep the most serious offenses in check.
Neighborhood-level variation
Safety varies dramatically within Garfield County. The safest areas are the rural outskirts and small towns like Drummond and Breckinridge, where crime is virtually nonexistent and neighbors know each other. Within Enid, the northwest quadrant (roughly north of Owen K. Garriott Road and west of Van Buren) is considered the safest, with lower crime rates and newer housing stock. The south side near the railroad tracks and the east side around the industrial corridor see higher property crime and occasional violent incidents. For those considering relocation, focusing on the northwest neighborhoods or the small towns outside Enid offers the best balance of safety and access to county services. Regardless of location, residents should invest in home security systems and vehicle locks, as opportunistic property crime remains the most common threat across the county.
* Values derived from national, state, county, city and local statistics and may differ in a specific area. Last updated: 2026-07-15T04:45:26.000Z
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