Ghent, MN vs Preston, MN

Preston is moderately more affordable than Ghent, with a 13.2% lower cost of living index. Ghent scores 75 compared to 66 for Preston, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Ghent can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Ghent is $941/month compared to $649/month in Preston — a 45% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Preston has cheaper rent, Ghent actually has lower median home values ($154,700 vs $169,600).

Median household income in Ghent is $72,500 compared to $60,438 in Preston (+20%). While Ghent is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Ghent spend roughly 15.6% of their income on rent, more than the 12.9% in Preston.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (45.4°F vs 44.8°F). Preston receives more rainfall at 34.7" per year compared to 28" in Ghent.