Cost of Living in Steele, MO

With a cost of living index of 64, Steele, MO is one of the most affordable cities in the country. Living here is 36% cheaper than the national average and 11% below the Missouri state average of 75. Steele is a small community of 1,449 residents.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in Steele's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $729 (45% below the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $115,900 (62% below the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 3.4x the median household income — a moderately affordable ratio by today's standards.

The median household income in Steele is $33,750, which is 55% lower than the national median of $75,149. Residents spend roughly 26% of household income on rent. This is near the 30% threshold that financial experts generally consider the upper limit of affordability. Lower incomes here are balanced by the significantly lower cost of living, stretching each dollar further.

Data sources: US Census Bureau (ACS 2023), Zillow Home Values, HUD Fair Market Rents, BEA Regional Price Parities, BLS Average Prices, and NOAA Climate Normals. Updated monthly.