Max, ND vs Steele, ND
Max is moderately more affordable than Steele, with a 9.5% lower cost of living index. Max scores 62 compared to 68 for Steele, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Steele can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.
On the housing front, median rent in Max is $625/month compared to $786/month in Steele — a 21% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Max is more affordable at $140,600 median vs $160,300.
Median household income in Max is $73,750 compared to $63,000 in Steele (+17.1%). Max offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Max spend roughly 10.2% of their income on rent, less than the 15% in Steele.
Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (40.9°F vs 40.3°F). Steele receives more rainfall at 20.9" per year compared to 17.8" in Max.
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Climate
NOAA 30-year normals (1991-2020)