Cost of Living in Steele County, Minnesota
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
These figures are county medians, not a personal budget. Use them to frame rent, ownership, and income tradeoffs, then account for household size, commute, financing, insurance, taxes, debt, and local availability before making a decision.
How Steele County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Steele County ranks #2,492 of 3,142 counties for affordability (bottom 21%)
Sourced county brief
Steele County Official Rent Burden Percentage Exceeds State Unweighted Mean
In Steele County, the official B25071 median gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) is 34.2%. This official measure is 6.9 percentage points higher than the Minnesota unweighted county mean of 27.3%. The median gross rent for the county is $1,061 per month, which is $123 above the state unweighted county mean of $938. For residents in owner-occupied units, the median selected monthly owner cost was estimated at $1,240, while the state unweighted county mean is $1,116. The median home value in Steele County is $245,400, which is $7,064 above the state unweighted mean of $238,336. Median renter-household income was recorded at $37,588. See ACS table B25071 for the underlying estimate.
Source record
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25064 Median Gross Rent
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25071 GRAPI
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25077 Median Home Value
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25088 Selected Monthly Owner Costs
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25119 Household Income by Tenure
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-brief-v1
Cost of Living Advisory: Steele County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 34.2% of renter household income in Steele County, which is between the 30% and 50% rent-burden benchmarks. This is a median percentage among renter-occupied units, not the share of households above a threshold.
Rent vs. Own
Median gross rent is $1,061 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $1,240. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $42,440 in annual gross income would allocate 30% to the county's median gross rent. This is a reproducible illustration, not evidence that a particular household can afford housing.
Regional Context
The Minnesota unweighted mean of county median rents is $938 per month. Steele County's $1,061 median is 13.1% above that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Steele County
Rent Burden
15.1%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,965
per month
Owner Cost Burden
17.7%
of gross income
You can likely afford the median home in Steele County
Median home value is $245,400. Estimated monthly cost: $1,959 vs. your max of $1,965.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
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Based on the 30% rule for rent and 28% rule for housing costs (mortgage + owner costs). Mortgage estimate assumes 20% down, 7.2% interest, 30-year fixed.
Frequently Asked Questions
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See Today's RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2020-2024). Data is informational only and is not personalized financial advice.
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