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Owatonna, MN

Cost of living in Steele County, MN

Estimated monthly cost
$3,030/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 37,413 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $784 26%
Federal tax $630 21%
Healthcare $480 16%
Groceries $340 11%
Transport $320 11%
State tax $239 8%
Energy $187 6%
Water $50 2%

Rent in Steele County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$728
per month
1 bedroom
$784
per month
2 bedroom
$1,025
per month
3 bedroom
$1,436
per month
4 bedroom
$1,721
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Steele County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$83,448
per year
Individual earnings
$48,593
per year
Per capita
$41,392
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Steele County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$234,200
Annual property tax
$2,824

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Steele County

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$124
per month · 15.5¢/kWh
Natural gas
$63
per month
Annual total
$2,244
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Steele County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
3.6%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Steele County

State and local tax rates for Minnesota.

State income tax
9.8%
Top marginal rate
State sales tax
6.9%
Combined sales tax
7.5%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Steele County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
19.0 min
Drive alone
79.6%
Public transit
1.1%
Work from home
8.6%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Steele County

What it costs to live in Steele County each month.

Single person
$3,030
per month
  • Rent $784
  • Energy $187
  • Water $50
  • Groceries $340
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $630
  • State tax $239
Couple
$4,629
per month
  • Rent $1,025
  • Energy $224
  • Water $60
  • Groceries $563
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $1,036
  • State tax $437
Family
$7,184
per month
  • Rent $1,436
  • Energy $280
  • Water $70
  • Groceries $855
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $1,036
  • State tax $437

Frequently asked questions about Steele County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Steele County?

In Steele County, MN, a one-bedroom apartment averages $784 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,025 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,436 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Steele County?

In Steele County, MN, the average household income is $83,448 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $48,593 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Steele County?

The estimated cost of living in Steele County, MN is approximately $3,030 per month for a single person, $4,629 for a couple, $7,184 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Steele County?

The combined sales tax rate in Steele County, MN is 7.54%, which includes the Minnesota state rate of 6.88% plus an average local rate of 0.66%.

Is Steele County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Steele County, MN would need approximately $3,030 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $83,448 per year ($6,954 per month). Steele County is relatively affordable compared to the national average.

How much does healthcare cost in Steele County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Steele County, MN is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 3.6% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Steele County?

The average home value in Steele County, MN is $234,200, with average annual property taxes of $2,824, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Steele County compare to other areas?

You can compare Steele County, MN with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Steele County is in the Owatonna, MN metro area.

Other counties in Minnesota

Browse the full list of counties in Minnesota, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in Minnesota

Compare Steele County with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources