Kensington, MD vs Preston, MD

The cost of living difference between Kensington, MD and Preston, MD is dramatic. Preston is 78.6% cheaper than Kensington, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Kensington has a cost index of 178 while Preston sits at 99, 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 Kensington is $2,105/month compared to $1,406/month in Preston — a 50% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Preston is more affordable at $248,100 median vs $919,400.

Median household income in Kensington is $149,698 compared to $69,375 in Preston (+115.8%). While Kensington is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Kensington spend roughly 16.9% of their income on rent, less than the 24.3% in Preston.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (59.3°F vs 57.6°F). Preston receives more rainfall at 43.9" per year compared to 41.8" in Kensington.