Cost of Living in Steele County, North Dakota
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 #669 of 3,142 counties for affordability (top 21%)
Sourced county brief
Steele County Median Renter Household Income at $29,787
The median renter-household income in Steele County is $29,787, as reported by the latest ACS 5-year estimates. During the same period, the median gross rent in the county was $738 per month, which is below the North Dakota unweighted county mean of $773. The official ACS B25071 median gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) is 18.2%. This figure is 4.4 percentage points lower than the state unweighted county mean of 22.6%. For homeowners, the median home value is $130,700, and the median selected monthly owner cost is $710, both of which are below their respective state unweighted county means of $175,787 and $785. These data points provide a statistical overview of housing costs in Steele County. 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 18.2% of renter household income in Steele County, which is below the 30% affordability benchmark. This is a median percentage among renter-occupied units, not the share of households above a threshold.
Rent vs. Own
Median gross rent is $738 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $710. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $29,520 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 North Dakota unweighted mean of county median rents is $773 per month. Steele County's $738 median is 4.5% below 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
11.4%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,808
per month
Owner Cost Burden
11.0%
of gross income
You can likely afford the median home in Steele County
Median home value is $130,700. Estimated monthly cost: $1,043 vs. your max of $1,808.
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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