Oakes, ND vs Steele, ND

Oakes, ND and Steele, ND have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.1% difference in their overall index. Oakes scores 67 while Steele scores 68 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Oakes is $740/month compared to $786/month in Steele — a 6% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Oakes is more affordable at $160,100 median vs $160,300.

Median household income in Oakes is $64,750 compared to $63,000 in Steele (+2.8%). Oakes offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Oakes spend roughly 13.7% of their income on rent, less than the 15% in Steele.

Climate-wise, Oakes is notably warmer with an average of 44°F compared to 40.3°F in Steele. Oakes receives more rainfall at 21.8" per year compared to 20.9" in Steele.