The rent in steamboat can be either high or low depending on a few things, such as what time of year your looking for a place, what you want included with rent (utilities, hot tub, snow removal, etc...) and proximity to the mountain, and how old/new the complex/building is.
It's not hard at all to get a job in Steamboat, either downtown or on the mountain seem to have openings all year long, even in the middle of winter or in mud season.
The pass is expensive if your 18+ and buying it, alot of places in town offer a merchant pass option if you work for them, and if you work for the mountain then you don't have to worry about it. If your planning on going to college here the pass isn't to bad, and you can go to the canyon's in park city for free as well, and
We had an excellent year as far as powder riding went this year, the park showed definite improvements but still has room for improvements.
Steamboat's vibe is pretty damn chill, everyone's here to ride and have a good time, everyone is super friendly and all about living in a ski town. Steamboats a good choice.