Hayden, ID vs Preston, ID

The cost of living difference between Hayden, ID and Preston, ID is dramatic. Preston is 52.2% cheaper than Hayden, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Hayden has a cost index of 122 while Preston sits at 80, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Hayden is $1,676/month compared to $794/month in Preston — a 111% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Preston is more affordable at $280,500 median vs $445,700.

Median household income in Hayden is $77,534 compared to $55,625 in Preston (+39.4%). The higher salaries in Hayden partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Hayden spend roughly 25.9% of their income on rent, more than the 17.1% in Preston.